Cincinnati Bengals Tight End Tyler Eifert to Miss Multiple Weeks Due to Back Injury
Looks like Tyler Eifert's surgically repaired back is acting up again.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals tight end is expected to miss several weeks of action while he recovers from his back injury. The good news is that Eifert will not have to go under the knife — at least for now. He has made four catches for 46 yards this season.
The fifth-year pro played in the Bengals' first two games of the season, but he was inactive in their game against the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday because of the back injury. He has been dealing with tendinitis in his knee as well.
Eifert is actually one of the most productive tight ends in the National Football League (NFL) when he's healthy. He was named to the Pro Bowl during the 2015 season and he finished the campaign with 52 catches for 615 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions.
Unfortunately, durability has always been an issue since he entered the league and he can't seem to stay healthy.
Eifert only miss a single game during his rookie season and that was due to a neck stinger, but he played in only one game the following season after he dislocated his elbow.
After playing in 13 games in 2015, the tight end missed eight games during the 2016 season due to back and ankle injuries and he underwent surgery to have his back repaired last December. Eifert aggravated the injury in the first half of their game against the Houston Texans on Sept. 14.
Eifert has already missed 28 games due to injury in his career and that number will continue to grow in the coming weeks.
Tyler Kroft should continue to see significant minutes at the position while Eifert is on the sidelines. The third-year pro served as the Bengals' primary tight end when they took on the Packers last Sunday and he finished the game with three catches for 28 yards.