The Cincinnati Bengals’ joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday turned into a nightmare at Halas Hall, with two Bengals players being taken off the pitch with severe injuries. The skies were dismal, but the mood on the pitch became even darker as the session become brutal.
Running back Chris Evans was in the wrong place at the wrong moment, suffering a severe injury while covering a kickoff at the end of the two-hour practice. His right leg was instantly immobilised with an air cast, indicating the worst. Evans was rushed away on a cart, and sources later verified the devastating news: he’s done for the season with a damaged patella tendon.
Just as the Bengals were dealing with Evans’ injury, another calamity struck. D’Ante Smith, an offensive tackle, collapsed in agony ten minutes later, with his left leg requiring the same immediate attention. Smith’s shouts rang out over the pitch, leaving everyone startled in stillness. He, too, was hauled off, compounding Cincinnati’s injury troubles.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who did not witness either of the injuries, was left reeling. “Certainly feel for them, and we’ll be there for them,” Taylor said after practice, his voice tinged with anxiety. “I don’t know what the outcome is yet, but it was certainly tough to watch.”
Bengals’ injuries mount up, but coaches deny pitch conditions are to blame.
The practice itself was hindered by a persistent downpour, with players battling to stay on their feet during drills. However, Taylor denied that the slippery circumstances were to fault for the injuries. Matt Eberflus, the Chicago Bears’ head coach, shared this view, stating that the session would not be cut short despite the back-to-back defeats. “It’s very unfortunate, and you feel bad for those players,” Eberflus said, adding that they were ready to react if things worsened more.
As if things couldn’t get much worse for the Bengals, whose offensive line was already thinning. Rookie Amarius Mims, who had been holding down the right tackle job for the first team, is expected to miss several weeks due to an injured pectoral muscle. His availability for the season opener is unknown. To make matters worse, veteran Trent Brown, who replaced Mims, had to leave practice early on Thursday due to back discomfort.
With the newest injuries, the Bengals’ offensive line is in terrible difficulties, putting Cincinnati’s coaching staff in a difficult situation. “We’ll see what we’ve got to deal with and make arrangements there,” Taylor added, aware that their depth will be challenged as they approach into the regular season.
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