Bengals injury update on key rookie provides good news

The Cincinnati Bengals will rely on some key rookies to help the middle of the defense in 2024.

One of those, third-rounder McKinnley Jackson, seems to be well on his way back from an injury, too.

Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison recently wrote the following about Jackson’s around the team: “Rookie third-round pick McKinnley Jackson is no longer using crutches to get around but is still wearing a large brace on his right knee.”

Removing crutches from the equation seems like good news for Jackson, whose injury that saw him carted off a field resulted in roster moves on August 8.

Jackson, alongside second-rounder Kris Jenkins, is a big part of the plan for a Bengals team attempting to compensate for the loss of DJ Reader in free agency.

Both rookies have a shot at playing time on the interior next season in a rotation with B.J. Hill and free-agent signee Sheldon Rankins.

It still remains unclear if Jackson will be ready in time for Week 1. But with the edge suffering a rash of injuries too — the latest is Myles Murphy — the team needs him in the rotation on the front seven, if possible.