The Bengals will be without Vontaze Burfict for the foreseeable future.
Coach Marvin Lewis said the immensely talented linebacker, who has missed time this season with concussion issues, had a knee operation Wednesday, according to the team.
Burfict is expected to miss the next two weeks at least.
At 24, Burfict is battling through his most difficult season in the NFL, though he has the security of a four-year extension that he signed before the season. At the moment, it's looking like a smart move by the Pro Bowl linebacker.
In the meantime, a wary Bengals defense will need to recover. So far this season, Lewis' defense has been gouged for 140.7 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 29th in the NFL.
Here are some other injuries we're tracking on this Week 9 Wednesday in the NFL:
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid said linebacker Joe Mays (wrist) would practice Wednesday, but likely won't play Sunday against the New York Jets. Things are looking better for quarterback Alex Smith (shoulder), who was expected to practice Wednesday.
- Browns coach Mike Pettine said it's unlikely defensive tackle Phil Taylor (knee) will play against Tampa Bay on Sunday or Cincinnati the following Thursday. Pettine said cornerback K'Waun Williams (neck/shoulder) will practice and defensive lineman Billy Winn (quad) should be full-go.
Meanwhile, tight end Jordan Cameron is still in the concussion protocol after suffering a concussion during the Browns' 23-13 win over the Raiders.
- The Cowboysofficially placed linebacker Justin Durant on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday with a torn biceps.
- Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday he expects wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) to practice all week.
- Carolina will be without starting left tackle Byron Bell (elbow/knee), who was declared out for Thursday's game against New Orleans. Undrafted rookie David Foucault will start in his place.
Defensive tackle Kawann Short (ankle) and safety Thomas DeCoud (leg) are questionable.
- Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (toe) was seen practicing, including participating in position drills Wednesday. Rookie cornerback Darqueze Dennard, linebacker Rey Maualuga (hamstring), running back Giovani Bernard (ribs) and defensive tackle Domata Peko (toe) were among those not practicing.
Following practice, Green told reporters he felt good, noting that he will "do a little bit (Thursday) and see how it goes," via ESPN. Green added that, should he play this weekend, he won't take limited snaps. "I'm just going to play as hard as I can and see what happens."
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martinwas in a walking boot and did not practice Wednesday. The Buccaneers also practiced without offensive tackle Anthony Collins (knee).
- The Arizona Cardinals announced that cornerback Patrick Peterson has been cleared to practice. The star corner suffered a concussion in Sunday's win against the Eagles.
- Chargers running back Donald Brown (concussion) returned to the practice field after missing the last three games.
- Broncos running back Montee Ball didn't practice Wednesday because of a groin injury. Denver's other running back, Ronnie Hillman, was limited due to a shoulder injury, per the Boston Globe. Via NFL Media's Alex Flanagan, Hillman said he "landed funny" on his shoulder and will be fine to practice tomorrow.
- The New Orleans Saints announced that center Jonathan Goodwin, linebacker Kyle Knox and running back Khiry Robinson are questionable for Thursday night.
- The Ravensannounced that Haloti Ngata, Jimmy Smith, Terrell Suggs, Lardarius Webb and Marshal Yanda all missed practice Wednesday. Owen Daniels (knee) was limited, and Chris Canty (wrist) had full participation.
- Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Cushing and Arian Foster all missed Texans practice with knee injuries on Wednesday, per the Houston Chronicle. Andre Johnson (ankle), Johnathan Joseph (knee) and Brooks Reed (groin) also sat out.
- For the Chargers: Jeremiah Attaochu (hamstring), Brandon Flowers (concussion), Dwight Freeney (knee) and Jason Verrett (shoulder) all sat out Wednesday's practice, per ESPN.
- Chandler Jones (hip) did not participate in the Patriots' practice Wednesday, per The Boston Globe. Dominique Easley (knee) was a limited participant, while Dont'a Hightower (knee) was full-go.
- A lot of key players were on the field for the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday. Linebacker Patrick Willis (toe), guard Mike Iupati (concussion), corner Chris Culliver (shoulder, hamstring) and safety Jimmie Ward (quad) all participated in practice, per CSN Bay Area.
- Tracy Porter was full-go at practice for the Redskins on Wednesday. He's played only one game this season while dealing with a hamstring injury.
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