Update: Tyler Eifert to Short-Term I.R.

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals medical staff tends to tight end Tyler Eifert (85) as he lays on the ground injured during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Eifert went down on Sunday with a dislocated elbow and, as of today, the team has made it official that Eifert will be placed on the short-term I.R. list.

It’s terribly unfortunate for both he and the Bengals after Eifert began the game with three catches for 31 yards in the first quarter.  Eifert had become a favorite weapon of Andy Dalton’s this preseason and looked poised to carry this effectiveness into the regular season. Looking on the bright side, Eifert will be able to return to practice in six weeks and will be eligible for the Bengals’ week 10 game against the Browns; he could’ve been out for the season.

Eifert’s return will give the team an added boost as the head into the final stretch of the season.  It will be huge for a team that plays five of its final seven games on the road (one home game being against the Broncos).  Hopefully Eifert can recover in a timely fashion.  In the meantime, the Bengals are now missing Eifert, Marvin Jones, and Rex Burkhead from its offensive game plan.  Things are starting to get dicey from new offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson.  But Jackson is creative enough, as he showed in week one, to weather this storm and get the Bengals through.  Jones and Burkhead could come back following the team’s week four bye.  Until then, Mohamed Sanu will need to step up even more than he was already expected to and Bengal fans may get a glimpse of Dane Sanzenbacher after the reserve wide receiver played little against the Ravens.