Based on recent roster moves with injured players, the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be getting some reinforcements on defense soon.
But Sheldon Rankins is the exception.
Rankins appeared in two games this season after coming over in free agency and suffered a hamstring injury. He’s missed two since the injury.
While the Bengals didn’t find the injury serious enough to stash him on injured reserve, he’s also not nearing a return, either.
So goes a small update from Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic: “Sheldon Rankins is still a week or two away from returning from his hamstring injury, but he’s the lone lineman not back onto the practice field.”
From the sounds of it, Rankins will miss Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens and the Week 6 primetime game against the New York Giants, if not longer.
Of course, hamstring injuries can be fickle things, which might partially explain why the team didn’t put him on IR.
Without Rankins, the Bengals will hope B.J. Hill can get back from a hamstring injury of his own and throw even more on the plate of a rookie in the middle of a breakout.
