Bengals T D'Ante Smith Injured

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals are grappling with significant injury woes as offensive tackle D'Ante Smith is expected to miss the entire upcoming season due to a torn patella tendon. This injury occurred during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears, marking a troubling day for the Bengals' roster. Smith's injury follows that of running back Chris Evans, who also suffered a torn patella tendon in the same practice and will similarly be sidelined for the season. The loss of Smith and Evans represents a considerable blow to the Bengals' offensive line depth. Smith was a reserve lineman, and his absence will be felt as the team looks to maintain its performance on the field. The situation is further complicated by the injury of rookie Amarius Mims, the team's first-round pick, who is expected to miss several weeks due to a strained pectoral muscle. In light of these injuries, veteran Trent Brown stepped in for Mims but faced his own challenges, experiencing back tightness that led to his replacement by Cody Ford during the practice. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the difficulties posed by these injuries, emphasizing the need for the team to adapt quickly as they prepare for the upcoming season. As the Bengals navigate these setbacks, the focus will be on finding effective replacements and maintaining team cohesion in the face of adversity. The upcoming weeks will be critical for the Bengals as they work to recover from these injuries and solidify their offensive line.