Bengals Notes: Glenn dealing with concussion; Ross not ready yet; Westerman issue personal
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Bengals left tackle Cordy Glenn missed his second practice of the week on Monday and after practice head coach Zac Taylor said Glenn is dealing with a concussion suffered in last Thursday's preseason game at Washington and that he probably won't play again until the regular-season opener at Seattle on Sept. 8.
"He reported a concussion after the last game, so better to keep him inside these couple days as he goes through the protocol," said Taylor. "Just like any concussion, it’s impossible to to know when they are going to come back. We’re just taking it day-by-day."
Glenn isn't expected to play in this Thursday's third preseason game against the New York Giants (7 p.m. kickoff in Paul Brown Stadium and WKRC-TV/Local12 will televise) and even if he returns to practice prior to the preseason finale on Aug. 29 against Indianapolis he won't play in that game either as most teams, including the Bengals, sit key players in the preseason finale.
"That would be a safe assumption (he doesn't play in the Aug. 29 game)," said Taylor. "Usually it takes a week to go through these things. That’s typically been the history and just the average across the league. We are not going to treat it differently. He’s going through the protocol and we’re gonna take it from there."
Veteran Andre Smith is expected to start at left tackle in Glenn's place against the Giants, according to offensive line coach Jim Turner.
"Andre's done a great job for us," said Turner. "I think it's a great decision having him here. He's great for our room and we're excited about having him here. He's going to work."
HOPE IS FOR ROSS TO PRACTICE SUNDAY: 2017 first-round pick John Ross still has not practiced since training camp began on July 27 due to a tight hamstring and Taylor said the hope now is that he is able to begin practicing on Sunday when the Bengals start their final week of preseason practice.
"He won’t play this Thursday," said Taylor. "Sunday would be the target for him. He’ll get a full two weeks of practice before Seattle. If we can get two good weeks of practice out of John I feel confident he’ll be able to play in that game."
Even if he does return to practice on Sunday Ross likely won't play in the preseason finale, but Taylor said it's important for Ross to get the practice reps as much as it is to play in a preseason game.
"It’s not only because of the routes, it’s the run blocking," said Taylor. "He pays attention in the meetings. He’s a smart kid. He knows it, but it’s a matter of getting out there and processing in the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, quickly processing what my job is, so you just need the live walkthrough reps, game reps, it doesn’t really matter."
WESTERMAN, PERKINS ISSUES "PERSONAL": Taylor said the situation that has Christian Westerman away from the team and on the Exempt/Left Squad list and the one that led Kent Perkins to leave the team on Aug. 13 and be waived are both, "personal situations."
"That’s all I can say," said Taylor. "They aren’t related to one another in any way shape or form."
Taylor said he has talked to Westerman since he didn't make the trip to Washington for last Thursday's preseason game.
In addition to the Westerman and Perkins situations veteran offensive lineman Clint Boling also retired just a couple of weeks before training camp began.
"Three unrelated linemen issues," said Taylor. "I can’t speak to two of them. I know Clint had the blood clot issues and had two little kids he was worried about. Those other two were totally separate."
Offensive line coach Jim Turner said he feels "badly" about the players who have left, but said those who remain simply have a job to do.
"It's big boy time," said Turner. "This is everybody’s job. If anybody leaves I feel bad, but because each of us comes to work each day, whether it be Bobby Hart or Cordy Glenn or myself or whoever, you have to come to work and do your job. So if guys have personal issues and have to step away, then that’s what they have to do to make themselves right. They’re part of the family. Our heart goes out to them, but at the same time we have to figure out the best five to line up against the Seahawks."
WHO DIDN'T PRACTICE: In addition to Glenn and Ross not practicing on Monday, here is the list of players who didn't participate:
- Active/Physically Unable to Perform list: CB Darqueze Dennard (knee); OT Jonah Williams (labrum).
- Out: WR Stanley Morgan (unknown); WR Cody Core (unknown); CB KeiVarae Russell (unknown); CB Darius Phillips (unknown); CB Dre Kirkpatrick (ankle); RB Trayveon Williams (foot); S Clayton Fejedelem (ankle); TE Drew Sample (hamstring); TE Moritz Bohringer (unknown); DT Christian Ringo (thumb).
Taylor said Sample's injury isn't expected to be long term.
"Don’t expect him to play this week, but would expect him to be back shortly after that," said Taylor. "He’s a gritty player. He really just has a knack in all three phases, the protection, the run game, the receiver play. His first game was kind of his welcome to the NFL moment. Thought he played much better last week, he’s only going to improve with every single game he plays against a different defensive line. Different linebackers he’s got to block, we are only going to see him improve from a guy that has that mindset and attacks each day like he does. I’m very pleased with the direction he’s headed."
