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Carlos Dunlap absent from Bengals OTA’s

By Travis Steffen

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 6: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals pumps up the fans that traveled to Cleveland to cheer on the Bengals while playing the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 6: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals pumps up the fans that traveled to Cleveland to cheer on the Bengals while playing the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap has yet to report to the team workouts this offseason, including OTA’s which started Tuesday.

The Cincinnati Bengals began their OTA programs on Tuesday. The first time that the rookies and veterans are hitting the field together at Paul Brown Stadium able to face off against one another. There are still rules to these offseason programs including no pads or tackling. One name that pops out not attending the OTA programs and offseason workouts is star defensive end, Carlos Dunlap.

It comes to no surprise that Dunlap has yet to make it to Cincinnati to be with the team as he is in a contract year finishing up his six-year, $40.6 million contract that he signed back in 2013. Dunlap, 29, is due to make $7 million this season but is wanting a long-term extension. Since being drafted by the Bengals in 2010, Dunlap has recorded 64.5 career sacks. His best season came in 2015 when he recorded 13.5 sacks.

Dunlap has remained quiet about why he has decided to stay away from the club this offseason but continues to post workout videos on social media. While the workouts are voluntary, Dunlap has cost himself $300,000 in workout bonuses by not attending.

Cincinnati’s front office has rumored wanting to make a deal with defensive tackle Geno Atkins before the start of the regular season. Atkins is also on the last year of his respected contract. Skipping these workouts will not likely change the Bengals organization minds on signing Dunlap, but it should be interesting to see when he returns and if a deal gets done.

Related Story: Will Carlos Dunlap earn an extension in 2018?

Personally, I don’t see a deal getting done before the regular season. I think that Dunlap would have to really prove himself in 2018 with double-digit sacks for the Bengals to give him an extension. With young talent all over the defensive line from the last two draft classes, it could be that Dunlap will have to find a new home if that talent shines in 2018.

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