Bengals coach Zack Taylor laughs at Andrew Whitworth’s reunification talk

CINCINNATI – Don’t expect a reunion between the Cincinnati Bengals and former All-Pro tackle Andrew Whitworth.

Cincinnati coach Zack Taylor scoffed at the idea of ​​luring Whitworth, who retired after last season, out of the broadcast to fill the Bengals’ void at right tackle. In many words, Taylor ruled out the possibility that there might be a possibility.

“We have good people in the building that we trust,” Taylor said with a smile.

Taylor said start processing right Lyle Collins He will likely be out for the season after sustaining a left knee injury in the team’s win over the New England Patriots on Saturday. Taylor said the team is still gathering more information but he is “not optimistic” that Collins will be able to return.

In a podcast published Tuesday, Whitworth said his Twitter notifications get busy any time an offensive lineman is injured. This was especially true when Collins struggled with his injury.

Whitworth retired earlier this year after helping the Los Angeles Rams beat the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. The 41-year-old finished off a 16-year career that included two All-Pro selections, four Pro Bowl nods and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2021. After the Bengals drafted Whitworth in 2006, he played tackle Lefty for Cincinnati for 11 seasons before ending his career on a five-year stint with the Rams. Since retiring, Whitworth has been a part of Amazon Prime Video’s NFL coverage, which debuted this season.

employment Podcast “The Season with Peter Schrager”Whitworth said he never ruled out returning.

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“I think for myself, just who am I, I’ve said this since the day I retired, I’ll never say,” said Whitworth. “There is always an opportunity. I love adventures. I love taking risks.”

However, he has noted that he has spent his career mostly at left tackle and that the transition to right tackle is difficult. Whitworth added that any decision to return would not be about tarnishing his legacy but rather about not letting his teammates down in the future.

“I don’t want to go out there and ruin their chances, I don’t really know what I’m capable of,” Whitworth said, referring to Cincinnati’s postseason prospects.

Third year player Hakim Adeniji He is expected to be Collins’ replacement for the rest of the season. Adeniji, who finished his college career at Kansas playing left tackle, has experience on both sides of the line of scrimmage. As a junior, he started three times at left tackle and one at right tackle. Last season, Adeniji started the last nine games, including Super Bowl LVI, at right guard.

“He was kind of playing the new keeper last year,” Adeniji told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s kind of a natural approach to playing. Having this full camp and first season, unlike last year, I definitely feel a lot better.”

Taylor will not make any statements regarding the team’s stance on the team’s upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football.” He said that if Cincinnati’s scouting department offered any potential options for new players, he would consider them.

However, the fourth-year coach emphasized his confidence in those already on the roster.

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“We’ve got guys here developing and working in our system that we have a high degree of confidence in that can help us do the things we need to do this year,” Taylor said.

In other injury news, the Bengals could have a tight end Hayden Hurst In order to counter bills. Hurst has missed the past three matches with a right calf injury. Taylor said he was demoted to participate in the team’s Week 16 win over the Patriots for precautionary reasons.

“I thought if we could give him another nine days, he’d be fine this week,” Taylor said. “So, I’m very optimistic about it.”

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