Cincinnati Bengals: 5 players who are big injury risks in 2021

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals is taken off the field after an injury during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-30. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals is taken off the field after an injury during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-30. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Biggest Injury Risks for Cincinnati Bengals – No. 4: C.J. Uzomah

After missing nearly the entire 2020 season, C.J. Uzomah rightfully belongs on this list. The Bengals don’t have a ton of depth at the tight end position, so losing Uzomah would be costly.

Uzomah appeared in just two games last year before suffering an Achilles injury and missing the entire rest of the season as a result. It was a tough blow and forced then second-year man Drew Sample to step up and show what he could do.

Sample is the starter now but with the Bengals still not entirely sure what he brings to the table, it’s important for Uzomah to stay healthy. Prior to landing on the injured reserve in 2020, he had appeared in double-digit games from 2016-2019 and started all 16 of them in 2019.

A fully healthy Uzomah isn’t going to be a game-changer but for a position that needs help, it’s important that he stay on the field. With the Achilles injury in the rearview mirror, hopefully, we don’t have to worry about Uzomah going down in 2021 but once one injury pops up, the chances of another one hitting the same player increase.