The NFL is dealing with a massive surge in COVID-19 cases. Seven teams have now entered the league's COVID-19 intensive protocols that were very prevalent in the 2020 season.
Fortunately for the Bengals, they have been able to avoid a high number of cases taking place at one time.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he addressed the recent spike in cases with his team Wednesday as players re-entered the building to prepare for their upcoming road matchup with the Denver Broncos. Despite no player testing positive this week, the Bengals are going to take a very precautionary approach moving forward.
A closer look:NFL teams taking extra precautions as COVID-19 cases spike
"I think that we may start doing some things differently, just out of an abundance of caution," Taylor said. "We have to be careful with what we’re doing."
Have any Cincinnati Bengals players tested positive for COVID-19?
The league's protocols could change following the surge but as of right now, vaccinated players are required to test once a week. Unvaccinated players must test daily. If a vaccinated player tests positive for COVID-19 and is asymptomatic, he is not subject to the 10-day automatic quarantine the non-vaccinated players are. If the player is vaccinated and without symptoms in that instance, he only needs two negative tests 24 hours apart.
Last week, running back Joe Mixon wasn't at practice on Wednesday and Thursday because he was dealing with an illness. Mixon tested negative for COVID-19 but out of precaution, the Bengals kept him away from the team. He returned to practice Friday but didn't practice and was wearing a mask on the practice field.
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Cincinnati is dealing with a similar situation this week. Taylor said Trey Hopkins, Trey Hill and Isaiah Prince will not practice on Wednesday because they all reported they were feeling ill. All three offensive linemen tested negative.
"They won’t be at practice today for that reason," Taylor said. "Some of them feel better than others. Some of them feel worse than others. But I think we’ve gotta be smart here these next couple of days and weeks here about how we meet. Those aren’t things that we’ve totally nailed down yet but, certainly, we’ve talked more about it today than any day."
Trey Hendrickson dodges injury, may play against Denver Broncos
It appears the Bengals dodged what looked like a serious injury to star defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
In the Week 13 loss to the 49ers, Hendrickson was down on the field with the trainers for a short time. Cincinnati had the cart ready to go get Hendrickson off the field before he was able to walk off on his own power.
A look back:Bengals' Trey Hendrickson left game with back injury after extending his sack streak
Hendrickson is dealing with a back injury and despite not practicing on Wednesday and potentially all week, Taylor is optimistic he'll be able to play against the Broncos on Sunday.
"I think he’ll be limited this week but I’m optimistic we’ll have Trey," Taylor said. "We’re at the point of the year, midway through December. We’re going to be overly cautious, especially with a lot of our veteran guys who we want them to be healthy and productive on Sunday. So you may see some guys that are limited during the week that I’m really optimistic about this weekend."
The latest Cincinnati Bengals injury report
Linebacker Logan Wilson will not play in Denver as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. Wilson suffered his injury in Cincinnati's Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Riley Reiff, the Bengals' starting right tackle, is doubtful to play with an ankle injury against the Broncos, according to Taylor. If Reiff is unable to play, Prince will start in his place assuming he's feeling well enough to play.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie also missed time in the Bengals' recent loss to the 49ers but said he believes he'll be able to play through his foot injury.
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Quarterback Joe Burrow didn't practice on Wednesday as the Bengals continue to manage his pinkie injury. Taylor hinted this could be the case moving forward this season with four games to play in the regular season. Burrow continues to reiterate he won't miss a game because of the injury.
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