A.J. Green out, 70-percent chance of playing next week
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green was never expected to play in today’s game against the rival Baltimore Ravens, and he will indeed be out for a third straight game after aggravating a toe injury. Green isn’t even expected to be fully healthy for the rest of the season, but the Bengals definitely need to have him on the field, so he’ll end up slogging it out. There’s a chance he misses a fourth straight game next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the Bengals have an even bigger game in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, which comes on Thursday Night Football, giving Green a swift turn-around that isn’t convenient at all. Despite this, it looks like the Bengals will have Green in Week 9, as he is drawing closer to a return.
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The NFL Network’s Stacey Dales reports that Green is indeed “very close” to returning, and there’s a high chance he suits up next week. Dales reports that Green has a “70-30” percent change of playing, and he will be getting a speciality shoe from Nike in order to help him out. His big toe injury is worse than a turf toe, so he shouldn’t be considered a lock to return next week despite the odds being in his favor.
Green has caught 17 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging over 70 yards per game with a whopping 18.5 yards per reception. Today, though, the Bengals will have to role with Mohamed Sanu, who has a tough matchup against Jimmy Smith, Will Hill, and the Ravens talented secondary, though at least he won’t have to face the vaunted Vontae Davis again.