Jessie Bates texted Geno Atkins about re-joining Bengals for playoff run

Jessie Bates wants Geno Atkins back on the Bengals for the playoffs.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have a serious problem with injuries at defensive tackle right now ahead of the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

And safety Jessie Bates has the solution — call up modern Bengals great Geno Atkins.

It’s a fan theory that started making the rounds on Saturday night after the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Turns out it is not just fans — Bates says he shot Atkins a text about re-joining the team on Saturday night.

So far? No text back from the man known as Geno Sacks.

Here’s ESPN’s Ben Baby capturing the moment on Sunday:

Atkins, a modern franchise great, spent 2010-2020 with the Bengals, appearing in eight games last year. He spent the offseason getting healthy and was declared ready to sign with a new team last July, but never surfaced anywhere.

With Larry Ogunjobi, Renell Wren, Mike Daniels and Josh Tupou dealing with injuries, Atkins returning to provide some depth and pass-rush would not just be a great moment for him and fans — it’d be a big help.

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