Tyler Eifert Injury: Updates on Bengals Star's Elbow and Return

Updates from Friday, Sept. 12

ESPN.com's Coley Harvey has an update regarding Eifert's injury:

Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com provides comments from Eifert:

"

Every time I feel like I'm getting back into it something happens," said Eifert, who caught three passes for 37 yards in three series before the injury Sunday. "It is what it is. It happened. It's hard to make the most of an injury but it's a situation I'm in right now. Just be positive.

 

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Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 10

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com updated Tyler Eifert's status following his elbow injury on Sunday:

Head coach Marvin Lewis later confirmed that move (via Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer):  

Original Text

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert walked off the field during the team's Week 1 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter due to an apparent elbow injury.    

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports passed along news of the injury on Twitter:

Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun notes Eifert's status following the play:

Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun later confirmed that Eifert would not return to the game:

Albert Breer of NFL.com weighed in on Eifert following the injury:

Rotoworld's Evan Silva passed along an update via FOX Sports' Jay Glazer on Eifert's injury: 

Will Brinson of CBS Sports also provides an image of the injury (Warning: Image is graphic and may not be appropriate for all viewers):

During his rookie season in 2013, Eifert finished with 39 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns. Coming into his second year, the former Notre Dame tight end was expected to take on a heightened role with the franchise.

Will Carroll of Bleacher Report and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports offer their take on the injury:

Prior to the elbow injury on Sunday, Eifert struggled through the offseason with a shoulder injury. But leading up to the season opener, the tight end appeared ready to go against the Ravens.

He spoke about his anticipation for the opener, per Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel:

"

I'm excited to get out there. Maybe a day off here and there in camp is nice, but when you're watching for most of it, you get pretty antsy to get back in there. I'm ready to go.

[The shoulder] feels strong and feels 100 percent now.

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Though the shoulder might no longer be an issue, the elbow might be another setback for the emerging star. After playing 15 games last season with the Bengals, losing him for any length of time would hurt the entire team.

With Jermaine Gresham still on the field, the Bengals have a viable option at the tight end position. Gresham is one of two starters on the depth chart, with rookie Ryan Hewitt behind Eifert at the No. 2 slot.

Still, any extended absence for Eifert will be a blow to Cincinnati's offense moving forward.

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