Bengals TE Tyler Eifert may miss start of 2016 due to Pro Bowl injury
Tyler Eifert had a breakout season for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015, catching 52 passes and 13 touchdowns in just 12 starts. Injuries hindered his production late in the season, but he emerged as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league. He even earned a Pro Bowl berth.
Sadly, that trip to the Pro Bowl could very well cost him part of his 2016 campaign. According to multiple reports, Eifert's ankle injury suffered in Hawaii requires surgery and will keep him out for three months.
BREAKING: #Bengals Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert to have ankle procedure.https://t.co/BB0lUY1Usc pic.twitter.com/OpBL5lZPBj
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) May 24, 2016
Obviously, this is terrible news for the Bengals, who boast one of the league's most talented rosters year in and year out. The injury wasn't expected to impact the upcoming season when it happened four months ago, but it hasn't healed the way the team had hoped.
If everything goes as planned and he's ready to play in three months, he'll miss all of training camp and would be a question mark for Week 1.
Eifert showed what he can be in the NFL in a limited sample size last season, drawing comparisons to Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, he can't stay healthy. In three seasons, he's missed 19 games, including 15 in 2014. There's little doubt that when he is on the field, he changes Cincinnati's offense dramatically.
