Bengals-Geno Atkins playoff reunion derailed by injury

Right in the middle of the Cincinnati Bengals playoff run, an injury suffered by Larry Ogunjobi had safety Jessie Bates texting defensive tackle Geno Atkins about a reunion. 

And it turns out the team was thinking about reaching out to the modern franchise legend, too.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com talked about it in a recent column:

“The Bengals love Geno, a first ballot Hall of Famer, and did think about that when Ogunjobi got hurt last month, but Geno has continued to have shoulder issues and doesn’t think he can play until the spring. That is why they pursued and got two veteran defensive tackles who were actively playing in the playoffs in Zach Kerr and Damion Square. The personnel department never sleeps.”

That would explain why Atkins didn’t pop up with a team like the Cowboys despite rumored interest during the regular season.

A reunion would’ve been amazing for fans who watched Atkins’ Cincinnati career, to say the least. His pass-rushing ability from the interior, if fully healthy, would’ve made a difference and if nothing else, it would’ve been sweet to see a beloved member of the team possibly get a ring.

Interestingly, who’s to say the two don’t try again during the offseason when Atkins gets fully healthy?