Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap left practice late on Monday with an apparent injury, and on Wednesday Adam Schefter reports that he suffered a concussion and is "out for now." Dunlap signed a six-year, $40 million contract extension with the Bengals earlier in July, but has yet to play a full 16-game season in his three-year career.
Carlos Dunlap injury: Bengals DL out with concussion
The fourth-year pro got a large new contract in July, but left practice earlier this week with an injury that has turned out to be a concussion. How long could the defense end be out for?
Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
Dunlap, 24, was a second-round pick in 2010 out of Florida. He led the Bengals in sacks as rookie with 9.5, despite only playing in 12 games that year. He played in just 12 games in 2011 and 14 games last season, recording 6.0 sacks and his first-career interception, also forcing four fumbles.
For his play, the Bengals rewarded him with the large new contract, but certainly a concussion is always worrisome. Cincy Jungle had this to add on the issue:
Figure that the team wants to keep Dunlap completely sidelined until the issue is completely resolved and the medical staff (and maybe an independent staff) clears Dunlap for contact, which may take a while. At the very least, the preseason opener against Atlanta is extremely doubtful.
Cincinnati may not have to rely as much on Dunlap for quarterback pressure this season. He fell to fourth on the team in sacks last year with defensive tackle Geno Atkins getting 12.5 of them, defensive end Michael Johnson recording 11.5, and defensive end Wallace Gilberry having 6.5 sacks. But all of which is easier with a player of Dunlap's ability on the field.
Hopefully for the Bengals, he is able to return sooner rather than later.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
