Bengals injury update ahead of preseason clash with Washington

The mystery of Joseph Ossai’s wrist continues.

As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare for their preseason clash with Washington Football Team, several notable players are set to be sidelined.

On Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor revealed the following players are not expected to play Friday.

• DB Eli Apple
• DB Ricardo Allen
• DB Donnie Lewis
• DE Khalid Kareem
• DE Joseph Ossai
• RB Trayveon Williams
• OC Trey Hopkins
• OG D’Ante Smith
• QB Joe Burrow

We’re still awaiting an official diagnosis for Joseph Ossai, who suffered a wrist injury vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hasn’t practiced since. Taylor’s latest update isn’t much of an update either.

After a strong start in the first couple of weeks of camp, Khalid Kareem has been sidelined for over a week now as he looks to secure his roster spot. Having him and Ossai both sidelined is a tough blow since those are probably the Bengals’ third and fourth-best edge defenders (with potential for Ossai to rise even higher).

Eli Apple and Ricardo Allen have both missed time in training camp due to injury but returned Tuesday, so keeping them out Friday appears to be precautionary. That’s also the case with Joe Burrow and Trey Hopkins as they work their way back from ACL surgery.

Trayveon Williams suffered a hamstring injury last Thursday, didn’t play in Tampa Bay and has yet to practice this week. Depending on how much longer he’s out, this injury may very well cost him a spot on the 53-man roster.

As for D’Ante Smith, it sounds like a dehydration issue may keep him out Friday.

It’s a tough setback for the rookie fourth-round pick, who clearly has his roster spot secured, but this could cost him a chance to be a Week 1 starter. He’s been impressing enough at guard that he started getting first-team reps this week, and there was hope the same would happen in Washington.