The Cincinnati Bengals broke their silence in the AFC North in a big way to start training camp.
Unfortunately, that came via the injury suffered by A.J. Green. The John Ross injury isn’t far behind.
The Bengals might have to go without Green for a while now, but it isn’t the only divisional headline making waves. Here’s the latest from the AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens: RGIII suffers injury
The Ravens were sitting pretty under center to start the summer thanks to the tandem of Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III behind him.
Like Green’s health in Cincinnati, that didn’t last long.
Griffin hit his hand on a player’s helmet Saturday in training camp and it turns out he’ll miss four to eight weeks with a fractured thumb.
That’s a big deal for a team that needs a quality backup behind a young passer, especially after making RGIII a priority this offseason after letting Joe Flacco walk.
Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt goes to the PUP
The Bengals knew all about the Steelers’ T.J. Watt last season, as did most of the NFL after the 2017 first-round pick broke out with 13 sacks, up from the seven he posted as a rookie.
At least for now, Watt’s upward trend going into Year 3 hit a roadblock as he just went on the Steelers’ PUP list.
Word is it’s a tight hamstring, which is something the Bengals know all about with John Ross right now.
Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield’s progression
The Browns made a shocking run last season after firing Hue Jackson and rallying around Mayfield, who even as a rookie started to turn some heads.
Now he’s making a point to say everything is slowing down for him.
“Everything is not moving as fast,” Mayfield said, according to Jeff Risdon of Browns Wire. “Camp moves really fast for you (as a rookie), especially at the quarterback position. There are a lot of things flying.”
Mayfield was part of the reason the Browns swept the Bengals last year and he finished the season with 3,700-plus yards and 27 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
In other words, Cincinnati’s defense better be ready to match should Mayfield keep trending upward.
