The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-2, and while that record very much keeps them right in the thick of things at this point in the season, there are some reasons to worry. One of those reasons is the health of the team’s secondary.
The Bengals were without starting safety Bryan Cook and backup safety Kyle Dugger last week, and Jordan Battle was limited throughout the week with a hamstring injury. With Battle’s struggles on the field and the lack of experience of the other safeties on the roster, it would
be nice to know that Cook and Dugger will be good to go on Sunday.
It’s still too early to tell, but Cook was very clear on Thursday that he wouldn’t play if he didn’t feel like he could pull his weight on the field.
“You know how much I love my teammates, and I want to be playing, but I can’t be selfish in that aspect,” he said per Mike Petraglia. “But at the same time, I feel if I’m not being who they need me to be on the team, on the field, I’m hurting my teammates. So I never let that happen.
“It’s always team first at the end of the day. So if I can be what I need to be for my team, I’ll be out there. And if I feel like I’m giving them less than myself, I’ll never let that happen. It’s always team first at the end of the day.”
Cook injured his right ankle in Week 3 against the Steelers. The Bengals are playing one of the winless teams remaining in the league, but winning on the road is tough, and the term “any given Sunday” exists for a reason. He did not practice on Wednesday, but he was a limited participant on Thursday, which is a step in the right direction.
If Cook is able to play, he could help shore up a secondary in desperate need of a solid leader at the safety position. Going into the bye week with a losing record would be an absolute gut punch. After losing the last two games, largely due to their own mistakes, they’re in desperate need of a win.
Then they can worry about health in their off week.
