CINCINNATI -- Bengals safety Tycen Anderson went on injured reserve Friday with a torn ACL.
Anderson actually tore the ACL early in Sunday’s game at San Francisco and continued to play through it unsure the pain he was experiencing. After further tests this week, the ACL was determined to be torn.
His season is over.
That’s a particularly tough break for Anderson who missed all of his rookie season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. he’d made significant strides in his first opportunity this year, including a breakout preseason opener where he intercepted two passes, one for a touchdown. He assumed a role as a core special teamer, leading the Bengals in special teams tackles.
He’ll now revert back to rehab and watching the season unfold from the sidelines again.
“As this season was progressing he was gaining a ton of confidence that he can be a real force,” Taylor said. “It was really unfortunate to see what happened to him because he was really doing a nice job.”
Filling in his role on teams will be a team effort for now. A key will be taking on Anderson’s spot as a gunner on punt coverage. The Bengals have options on roster with cornerbacks DJ Ivey and DJ Turner, they also have wide receiver Stanley Morgan, who starred on special teams the last two years, on the practice squad as an option. Veteran Mike Thomas is also on the practice squad and could take over the fourth safety role, but doesn’t fill the same positions on special teams, which will be the focal point of any replacement.
This also leaves 52 players on the roster. With one spot open, it could be filled now, but rookie Charlie Jones is on track to come off on injured reserve next week against Houston and could take up that spot.
Also, Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), is listed as questionable but could make a return to the lineup, including a critical role on special teams Sunday against Buffalo.
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