Marvin Lewis Taking Time Away from Bengals to Deal with Health Issue

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without head coach Marvin Lewis for an indefinite period of time as he deals with a minor health issue. 

Jay Morrison of Cox Media Group provided a statement from the team:

"Coach Marvin Lewis will be taking time away from the team to focus on a minor health issue. He will be back as soon as possible, which could be today or later this week. Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will lead the team during Coach Lewis' absence."

Stacey Dales of NFL Network reported Lewis has a Baker's cyst in his ankle.

The Bengals have their first preseason game of the year on Friday, Aug. 11, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As the team's official account noted, Simmons led practice Tuesday:

Lewis has been the Bengals head coach since 2003, making him the second-longest-tenured coach in the NFL behind Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots. Interestingly, Simmons has been with the team just as long, entering his 15th season working with the special teams unit.

The former punter at Kansas University became the special teams coordinator in 2013, helping the squad reach the playoffs in three out of four seasons.

Simmons originally coached under Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens, and on a Bengals team that has endured a lot of turnover at coordinator, he has remained a constant. Lewis clearly trusts Simmons to lead the organization for as long as needed.