Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai was one of the more curious things around the team this season.
After looking like a possible breakout player with high upside, Ossai regressed this year in terms of participation in a notable way on a team that needed help rushing the passer.
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo addressed this before Week 18, telling CLNS Media’s Mike Petraglia that Ossai has put in the effort, but that “We’re taking some lumps along the way with these young guys.”
Anarumo mentioned that Ossai needs to start next season healthy, which will be a point of angst amongst fans — he suffered an injury in the third and final preseason game last summer while no other starters took the field.
Ossai played 300-plus snaps last year but has 151 this season over 13 games, with it sounding like health has played a role in the decrease.
For now, though, Ossai still sounds like a player the team will turn to, alongside first-rounder Myles Murphy, as key pieces of the pass-rush next season.
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