The Cincinnati Bengals have lost one of the NFL's most athletic subpackage linebackers.
Emmanuel Lamur was carted off the field in Thursday night's preseason finale after separating his shoulder while tackling Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown. Tests confirmed that Lamur's injury is season-ending in nature, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
The Bengals cut off Lamur's path to a starting job when they re-signed Rey Maualuga and added veteran James Harrison, but Lamur still was expected to play in nickel packages alongside Vontaze Burfict. Lamur was viewed as the Bengals' top coverage linebacker after showing promise down the stretch last season.
Lamur's injury is the hardest knock the Bengals have encountered since training camp opened. With Harrison on the back nine of his career and Maualuga a major liability in coverage, coordinator Mike Zimmer might have to turn to undrafted rookie Jayson DiManche in the increasingly important nickel and dime packages.
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