Marvin Jones Out A Few Weeks with Broken Foot

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) makes a catch for a touchdown a during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

After enjoying a successful 2013 season where he established himself as the Bengals number two receiver, this off-season has gotten off to a difficult start for wide receiver Marvin Jones.  He’s yet to practice and missed the team’s first preseason game on Thursday.  Now it’s being reported that Jones’ will miss at least a few weeks with a broken foot.

Apparently Jones was hurt on Saturday and required a screw be put into his foot.  This is most certainly a blow to the Bengals’ offense after Jones produced 51 catches for 712 yards and 10 TDs last year.  Luckily, the team possesses great depth at wide receiver, so they may be able to compensate for the loss while Jones recovers. The team must consider whether to place Jones on the I.R. with a designation to return or not, the same designation that Andrew Hawkins was placed under last year.  If the Bengals elect to do this, then Jones will have to be on the active roster when final cuts are made and then he can be placed on the list shortly thereafter.  This injury does allow another player, most likely receiver, to make the final roster, so fans should expect Cobi Hamilton to get a long look considering he is the most capable of filling Jones’ role.

The far reaching effects here is what to do with A.J. McCarron, who the Bengals are looking to rest seemingly for a substantial amount of time.  McCarron can no longer be placed under this designation as only one player per team can be, but this was may unlikely from the start.  The Bengals must now choose whether to carry three quarterbacks all year or place McCarron on I.R. for the year where he can learn the game anyway, but will have to do so from the sidelines.