When it comes to the 2019 NFL draft class, the Cincinnati Bengals just can’t win.
That matches the results in the win-loss column, at least. The latest setback for the unlucky class arrived over the weekend in the form of an injury to second-round pick Drew Sample.
The team says it’s an ankle sprain and his immediate availability is in doubt. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, reported Sample could end up on injured reserve.
In other words, right as the Bengals switch to long-term evaluation mode with Ryan Finley under center, Sample goes down and could miss the rest of the season.
Sample was a controversial pick with such a high-value slotting, which is only magnified more due to the issues along the offensive line and at linebacker. He was hardly employed in Zac Taylor’s offense before the injury too, playing just 109 snaps (17.58 percent).
Sample is hardly the first problem for the rookie class. The Bengals started the season without first-round tackle Jonah Williams, who suffered an injury over the summer and might not make it back at all this year.
Third-round linebacker Germaine Pratt has mightily struggled when on the field. Of the three fourth-round picks, Renell Wren isn’t playing often. Michael Jordan lost his starting job and Finley, barring a dramatic change, was drafted largely to be a backup.
A rough start for this draft class wouldn’t seem so bad if the last few classes haven’t struggled so much. But with the Sample injury, it’s yet another Bengals rookie missing out on critical developmental snaps at the best time for them.
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