The ankle injury that Tyler Eifert suffered in the Pro Bowl has gone from a slight concern for the Bengals to a growing concern.
The tight end was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday and could miss as many as two regular-season games, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Eifert hurt his left ankle in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31. He was healthy enough to take part in the Bengals’ voluntary workouts in April, but the healing process apparently has slowed to the point where he needs surgery that will require a three-month recovery.
Eifert missed 15 games in 2014 with an elbow injury, but bounced back to catch 13 touchdowns among his 52 receptions last season.
The Bengals’ first two games of 2016 are at the Jets in Week 1 and at Pittsburgh in Week 2. The Bengals already will be without suspended Vontaze Burfict for the showdown in Pittsburgh. Then in Week 3, they host the Super Bowl-champion Broncos.
Considering the toughness of their early-season schedule, the Bengals needed this Eifert news like they need a hole in the head.
