Vontaze Burfict Undergoes Surgery

Vontaze Burfict underwent arthroscopic knee surgery today, which is expected to sideline him for at least the next couple of weeks.. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Vontaze Burfict’s injury woes continue this year as ESPN’s Coley Harvey has reported that Burfict had arthroscopic knee surgery today.

The surgery seems to have gone well as the Bengals only expect Burfict to be out this week and next week against the Browns.

Apparently the injury came on Sunday when Burfict was blocked low on a running play.  Following the play, television cameras kept focusing in on a hobbling Burfict who then momentarily left the game only to return a few plays later and finish the game.

The procedure was described as proactive and preventative as Marvin Lewis detailed a situation where Vontaze Burfict had a “particle” floating around in his knee that could’ve eventually lodged itself in the joint and caused further damage.

"“The problem is if it locks in the joint then your leg locks if you’ve ever had that.  Or, also the fact that if you leave it in there and you try to play — which is what his initial thought was — you can risk further damage, and you don’t want to do that to the player.”"

Marvin Lewis spoke about wanting to get the issue solved now so the Bengals would have Burfict back for the stretch run of the season leading up to the playoffs.

"“The best thing was to bite the bullet and have it removed and get him back and rehabbed and get him healthy for the rest of the way.”"

Burfict’s absence is nothing new as he’s been in-and-out of games all year due to concussions and neck injuries.  After enjoying an astounding year in 2013, this season is beginning to look like a lost season for the third-year linebacker who continues to struggle to stay healthy.  Hopefully Burfict will be back in a few weeks and will remain healthy as his presence is clearly vital to the Bengals’ defense.  In the meantime, other defenders will need to step up in his stead.

It’s yet another challenge to the Bengals’ depth, which has proven vital this year as the team has experienced a rash of injuries.  The Bengals play the Jaguars this week at home, so Burfict’s absence shouldn’t prove to be the difference between a win and a loss.  The Bengals need to keep the momentum rolling after completing a season sweep of the Ravens last week.  Concurrently, they’ll need to use the game to get other linebackers some experience calling and diagnosing plays as the Bengals will face only stiffer competition going forward.