AJ Green Injury: Cincinnati Bengals Will Be Without WR for Huge Game vs. Ravens

If the Cincinnati Bengals are going to go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens, they will have to do so without AJ Green. According to NFL Network's Stacey Dales, the young and explosive receiver will be on the sidelines as he recovers from a hyperextended knee injury he suffered last week against Pittsburgh.

Injury Impact

This is a big blow for the Bengals in a pivotal game. The Ravens and Bengals are tied in second place in the AFC North at 6-3, trailing 7-3 Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a bye this week, which means this game is for a share of first place.

Green is having a great rookie season, and he has displayed a growing chemistry with fellow rookie, QB Andy Dalton.

Green leads the Bengals in every main statistical category.

Check out Green's stats.

Next Man Up

Green's absence means WR Jerome Simpson is going to have to step up and lead this receiving corps. Simpson is having a solid year with 26 catches, 410 yards and two touchdowns.

However, the Ravens will be able to pay him extra attention without the threat of Green.

TE Jermaine Gresham will have to step up in the passing game as well. The young TE has 29 catches for 254 yards and four touchdowns this year.

The Bengals would be wise to get Gresham going early and force the Ravens to pay him extra attention to help make life easier on their receiving corps.