CINCINNATI – Bengals cornerback Trae Waynes could be on the mend for a while after suffering a pectoral injury at Monday’s practice, a source told ESPN.
According to a NFL Network report, Waynes is seeking a second opinion on the injury and could be out for up to two months.
If that timeline is accurate, it will be a big blow for a team that expected Waynes to be an important part of their revamped defense. This offseason, the Bengals signed Waynes to a three-year contract worth $ 42 million. Waynes, along with the addition of defensive tackle DJ Reader (four years, $ 53 million) were marquee deals for the franchise during free agency.
In July, Waynes’ agent Brian Murphy told Sports Illustrated that he advised Waynes not to practice football this offseason while he waited for his $ 15 million $ bonus. According to the report, the Bengals managed to withhold payment until he was able to come into the building for physical persons with the rest of the team at the end of July.
“Obviously there is no physical activity there, and he would really like to be in the best shape of life so he can play the best football of his life,” Murphy told the newscast. “But because of the Bengalis’ decision, he can not do that.”
Waynes, a first-round pick in the 2015 draft, spent his first five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, Waynes made 14 starts and counted one interception, eight pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
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