When he wasn’t throwing out major praise for rookie guard Cordell Volson, Cincinnati Bengals right tackle La’el Collins was briefly chatting about his long-awaited return to the field.
Buy Bengals TicketsAfter a battle with a nagging injury and one day missed due to personal reasons, Collins finally debuted in full for the offensive line during the team’s final practice before a Week 2 preseason encounter with the New York Giants.
“First day to kind of get out there with my teammates, communicate, and move around and assimilate real speed,” Collins said, according to radio announcer Dan Hoard. “That felt good.”
Collins returning to 11s is a big deal as his ramp-up process continues. He was the crown jewel of the Bengals’ free-agency class after that memorable public pursuit that went as far as fans getting involved at a shopping center.
With Collins back, that means all three major additions — including Ted Karras at center and Alex Cappa at right guard — are on the field working together. Left guard, though, remains a major question mark, as does depth after a slew of setbacks.
