Bengals Roster: 4 injured players who could make an impact in 2022
1. Joseph Ossai
Joseph Ossai’s injury ahead of the season was the most devastating for the Cincinnati Bengals because the defense had big plans for the Texas product. Cincy spent a third-rounder on Ossai with the hopes that he could help newly-signed Trey Hendrickson and newly-extended Sam Hubbard in the pass-rushing department.
Ossai did it all during his time with the Longhorns and had a really impressive 2020 college season. He tallied 55 total tackles (15.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two defended passes and those numbers are certainly eye-popping.
Fans were fortunate to see Ossai shine in one preseason game before he got injured and guess what he did? He sacked Tom Brady in that one. There was some grumbling at the time about how the team kept Ossai in the game too long, which could have aided in his injury, but that’s in the past now.
Not long after, Ossai’s season was deemed over before it ever really began and fans were devastated. This guy was going to make the pass-rush scary and, after watching the defense play this season, it’s not even up for discussion if Ossai’s presence would have made a difference or not.
Bengals DE Joseph Ossai recently had surgery on his knee, coach Zac Taylor said. Ossai will likely be out for the year but Taylor said he doesn't know if Ossai will be put on IR before the team cuts down to the 53-man limit.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2021
Ossai’s return in 2022 will give Hendrickson and Hubbard some help in the pass-rushing department and his return is definitely the one fans are most looking forward to in 2022.
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While not all of these players will make the same impact next year, having them back will only make the Cincinnati Bengals better.