Vontaze Burfict Put on IR, A.J. McCarron Activated For Bengals

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals announced two roster moves today via their twitter account:

Vontaze Burfict only played in five games for the Bengals this year before having what has turned out to be season-ending surgery on his knee in late October. It was questionable if a late return was possible, but this move ends that possibility. His season ended with 29 combined tackles, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections.

Jun 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron (5) during minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Simultaneously, A.J. McCarron was activated off the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list making him available on Sunday if the Bengals need him. A.J. McCarron was the Bengals fifth round pick in this year’s draft. He has been out since the preseason trying to recover from a sore shoulder. He will be behind Andy Dalton and Jason Campbell on the depth chart to start.

Burfict’s move to the injured reserve list should come as no surprise as he was doubtful to play again this year.  McCarron’s addition to the roster comes as his eligibility for the Reserve/NRI was running out. It will be interesting to see if and how the Bengals look to use McCarron moving forward and if he will eventually take Jason Campbell’s place at the end of the season.  The likely scenario is that McCarron will only see the field if the Bengals fall far behind in a game or if they are eliminated from the playoffs before Week 17, which is highly unlikely.