For the first time in a long time, there is buzz around the Cincinnati Bengals.
But the excitement surrounding Joe Burrow’s rookie season took a hit on Tuesday with the loss of a defensive anchor. Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters that cornerback Trae Waynes suffered a pectoral injury this week and will be sidelined for a while.
seeks a second opinion. “data-reactid =” 22 “> NFL Network reports Waynes expects to miss at least two months seeks a second opinion.
Great signing of the season
The Bengals signed Waynes, 28, to a three-year, $ 42-million contract in the offseason. It was his first NFL contract since his rookie deal after the Minnesota Vikings made him a first pool pick in 2015. He is the top secondary player on the Cincinnati roster.
“It’s just an unfortunate situation,” Taylor told reporters. “These things happen during training camp. He worked hard for us … It’s nobody’s his fault. We just go on, get him healthy and back on the field. ”
Waynes’ camp may not agree with that assessment.
Trae Waynes would anchor the secondary Bengals this season. (Jevone Moore / Getty Images)
Offseasons conflict over workouts, bonus
Waynes’ agent Brian Murphy criticized the Bengals throughout the season for not paying his $ 15 million signing bonus immediately after agreeing to the contract. Like many players this offseason, Waynes had to wait to sign his deal until he could enter the team facility for a physical amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy told Sports Illustrated in June that he had advised Waynes against performing drills in the meantime to avoid risks of injury and his signing bonus.
“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 said on July 2. “But because of the Bengals’ decision, he can not do that.
‘So yes, he needs to be creative, he needs to find different ways to be at the very top on physical performance. But assuming he does not do the one-on-one drills, if he assumes he does not ride other players, he simply will not be where he would be otherwise in a normal year. “
Whether the finger points to it or not, the injury is a major blow to Waynes and the Bengals.
