Tyler Eifert Suffers Elbow Injury

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) injured after his catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Eifert may have suffered a serious injury on this play.  After the play happened, many reporters and announcers called the injury gruesome.  Eifert was seen on the ground in serious pain as his teammates called trainers over immediately.

Time will tell the severity of the injury, but Eifert will be out for a substantial amount of time one way or another.  If he avoids any kind of ligament damage or broken bones, Eifert could be back within the year.  But any damage beyond the potential dislocation could really impact his year and possibly end it.

In the meantime, the onus will fall to his fellow tight end Jermaine Gresham.  Missing Eifert would be a huge loss for the team, but Gresham has shown real ability as a tight end in the past.  He has the potential to be a star, but has been unable to put it all together and raise himself to that level in the past.  Gresham is playing in a contract year this year, so he’ll have some extra motivation to perform if he wants to earn himself a substantial contact in 2015. If Gresham can play like it’s three years ago, he could soften the blow of losing Eifert.  Either way, the Bengals will be missing a significant weapon (and a new favorite target of Dalton’s) as long as Eifert is out.