Tyler Eifert Injury: Bengals TE Placed on Injured Reserve

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert is on the shelf again, and he will miss the remainder of the season.

After missing Week 16's matchup with the Houston Texans, the Bengals placed Eifert on injured reserve on Monday, ending his campaign. On Thursday, head coach Marvin Lewis revealed Eifert underwent surgery on his back on Tuesday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Eifert has had a nightmare season, only appearing in eight games due in large part to the lingering effects of an injury he suffered to his ankle during last year's Pro Bowl. He's also had back problems along the way. 

Eifert had a breakout season in 2015, setting new career highs in every major category, including receptions (52), receiving yards (615) and touchdown catches (13). He did all that in just 13 games due to neck and concussion problems that cost him three games in the final month of the campaign. 

Unfortunately, injuries have become a defining trait for Eifert in his NFL career. The 26-year-old has never played all 16 games in a season, including missing 15 games during the 2014 season after dislocating his elbow in the Bengals' season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Notre Dame product has been productive in 2016 when healthy. He is averaging a career-high 13.6 yards per reception and is tied for the Bengals lead with five touchdowns despite missing seven games to date. 

The Bengals have gotten accustomed to playing without Eifert over the years. C.J. Uzomah was a solid option for quarterback Andy Dalton early this season with 193 yards and 17 receptions in eight games before he got injured. 

This has been a season to forget in Cincinnati, as the team will enter Week 17 with a 5-9-1 record. Eifert's inability to stay on the field has been par for the course for the Bengals in 2016, who will ride out the season finale just hoping to get their star tight end back to 100 percent for next season.