Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La’el Collins tore his ACL, MCL and PCL on on Christmas Eve in New England, largely eliminating him from the conversation about being the starter at right tackle to begin 2023.
But Collins isn’t about to just let himself be taken out of said conversation.
Collins told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com he’s right on track in his rehab and would like to take a shot at coming back by opening day.
He also spoke on his family as motivation, as well as the team’s part in it:
“When you’re on the type of team we have, knowing how close we were and knowing how good we can really be and also knowing we have the talent to be able to go get a championship, that will continue to push me.”
A mid-January surgery means it’s near-impossible for Collins to be back on the field as a starter in Week 1 — but wilder things have happened, right?
Even so, it speaks to where Collins’ mindset is as speculation runs rampant that the team could add a right tackle as early as the first round next week.
That doesn’t sound like it is deterring Collins from targeting a quick return, though.
