The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a major blow early in training camp when star wide receiver AJ Green was carted off with what turned out to be an ankle injury. Minor surgery on the ankle showed an issue that will keep the receiver out “a few games” according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Green missing multiple games means he won’t play in Week 2 when the 49ers visit Cincinnati. That’s a huge task off San Francisco’s secondary’s plate if he is unable to go in that one.
The Bengals’ 2011 first-round pick has been among the league’s most consistent receivers over the last eight seasons. He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler and probably would’ve gone last year had a toe injury not limited him to nine games. Green is averaging 87 catches for 1,284 and nine touchdowns per 16 games in his career.
His two games against the 49ers have been relatively unproductive though. He has five receptions for 66 yards in those contests, and Cincinnati is 1-1 in those games.
San Francisco visits the Bengals as part of a two-game road swing that begins in Tampa Bay to open the season. Their task on defense gets markedly easier if Green is still out with that ankle injury.
