Anderson Moved To IR, Gilberry Signed

During Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, with just 1:50 left in the 4th quarter, Bengals backup DE Jamaal Anderson went down for what seemed like an eternity to those of us in the stands. When the dreaded cart was brought out, we all knew that it was not a good sign for an already injury plagued Bengals Defense. After being taken to the locker room, the team doctors determined that Anderson tore the quad above his right knee. With the injury, Jamaal's next stop was the season ending Injured Reserve list. This is definitely not good news. At the time of this injury it left the Bengals with just two healthy DE players in Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers.

So, after hastily moving Anderson to the IR, the Bengals hit the Free Agent market. They immediately signed Wallace Gilberry in the fifth year of his NFL career. Though, he came by way of a Friday release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he actually played the first four years of his career in Kansas City. He was a productive player for the Chiefs, playing in 54 games including a postseason appearance. He started every game from 2009-2011 and managed to rack up 14 sacks, 46 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries before being released at the end of the 2011 season. This is a plus for the Bengals, since the only players with more sacks are Geathers with 30 and Lawson with 16. Dunlap is tied for 14 with the new DE.

Speaking of Dunlap, he looks like he has a real shot at coming back to the active list for this weeks game in Washington DC against the Redskins. He has been back to practicing with the team and seems to be recovered well enough to play. This would be a much welcome relief for all of the defensive ends, but none more than Michael Johnson. These guys have been putting in a lot of game time, which is hard on the body and knees. Johnson played 90% of the snaps during the game against Cleveland. If Dunlap comes back this week, that will give the team 4 healthy defensive ends and will relieve some of the pressure on the new guy Gilberry, who will be expected to start on Sunday.

Hopefully, with Gilberry and Dunlap's possible return, the lackluster defense will get a much needed spark. Here's to hoping! Who Dey!


Craving more Cincinnati Bengals talk and news? 
http://fansofthegrowl.blogspot.com