For the first time in a long time, there is buzz surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals.
But the excitement around Joe Burrow’s rookie season took a hit on Tuesday with the loss of a defensive anchor. Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters cornerback Trae Waynes suffered a pectoral injury this week and will be sidelined for a while.
NFL Network reports that Waynes is expected to miss at least two months and looking for a second opinion. “data-reactid =” 22 “> NFL Network reports that Waynes should be missing at least two months and looking for a second opinion.
Great signing off season
NFL contract since his rookie deal after the Minnesota Vikings made him a first-round draft pick in 2015. He’s the top secondary player on Cincinnati’s roster." data-reactid="24">The Bengals signed Waynes, 28, to a three-year, $ 42 million contract during the offseason. It was his first NFL contract since his rookie contract after the Minnesota Vikings made him a first-round pick in 2015. He is the best secondary player in Cincinnati roster.
“It’s just an unfortunate situation,” Taylor told reporters. “These things happen during training camp. He was working hard for us… It’s nobody’s fault. We just move on, get him back to good health and get back to the field.
Waynes’ camp might not agree with this assessment.
Trae Waynes was supposed to anchor the Bengals secondary this season. (Jevone Moore / Getty Images)
Off-season conflict on training, bonus
Waynes’ agent Brian Murphy has criticized the Bengals in the offseason for failing to pay his $ 15 million signing bonus immediately after accepting the contract. Like many players this offseason, Waynes had to wait to sign his agreement until he could enter the team’s premises for a physical exam amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy told Sports Illustrated in June that he advised Waynes against exercising in the meantime to avoid risking injury and his signing bonus.
“Obviously there is no physical activity out there, and he really would like to be in the best shape of life, so that he could play the best football of his life,” Murphy said on July 2. “But because of the Bengals’ decision, he can’t do that.
“So yes, he has to be creative, he has to find different ways to be at the top of his physical performance. But assuming he doesn’t do the one-on-one drills, assuming he doesn’t fight other players, he just won’t be where he would be otherwise in a normal year.
Whether or not there is finger pointing, the injury is a huge blow to Waynes and the Bengals.
