After initially appearing to pass tests following an injury against the Patriots, it appears that La'el Collins’ season has come to an end.
The right tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a torn ACL and MCL after undergoing an MRI according to The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway, Collins is out for the remainder of the season. His expected recovery time is seven months. ACL recoveries have often been nine-month endeavors.
Collins suffered the injury during the first half of the Bengals' 22-18 win over the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve. He passed the initial ACL test on the field, and it was believed everything was OK. Collins stated that he dislocated his kneecap, but it popped back into place.
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An undrafted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, Collins signed a three-year deal with the Bengals in March. The Bengals have had the same five starting offensive linemen for 15 straight games. That streak will come to an end next week against the Bills.
With Collins out, the Bengals may rely on Hakeem Adeniji to start in his place. Adeniji was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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The Bengals play two more games in the regular season. The team recently clinched a playoff spot after the Jets lost to the Jaguars on Thursday night.
