AFC North watch: Bengals 1st-round pick Jonah Williams likely out for season

While the Cleveland Browns don’t have a rookie first-round pick because of a trade, the rival Cincinnati Bengals won’t have one because of an injury.

Offensive lineman Jonah Williams is likely to miss the season with a shoulder injury. The Bengals announced the news today, revealing Williams is having surgery to repair a torn labrum. He never missed a game at Alabama, and the Bengals were confident enough to select the All-American with the No. 11 overall pick.

Williams was expected to start right away for Cleveland’s in-state rival. It’s a big blow for a franchise that has had a terrible run of luck with their recent first-round picks and injuries.

Rookie years of #Bengals recent first-rounders:
2015: Ced Ogbuehi limited only 5 games, college ACL
2016: Will Jackson III misses year with torn pec in camp
2017: John Ross plays 17 snaps due to injury, etc
2018: Billy Price misses 6 games (foot)
2019: Jonah Williams torn labrum

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) June 25, 2019