Cincinnati — Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph OsaiThe situation for offseason workouts remains uncertain as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
On Monday, Osai told local reporters that he had surgery in February to repair a torn shoulder labrum at week 14. cleveland browns On 11 December. The former Texas standout, entering his third season, said the recovery timeline is estimated to be about four to five months, but he is expected to be back before the team’s training camp begins.
His workload for offseason workouts and organized team activities has not yet been determined.
“If it’s up to me, I’m ready to go,” Osai told reporters.
Osai, a 2021 third-round pick who missed his entire first season with a knee injury, played in all 16 games in 2022. He had 17 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a rotational defensive lineman for the Bengals. He said on Monday that a brace allowed Osai to continue the season despite a shoulder injury. Osai said that there was not much surgery needed to repair the labrum, but that without the procedure, the shoulder was at risk of dislocating.
Osai had the procedure performed by Dr. Neil L. Atreche, who repaired torn knee ligaments for the Bengals quarterback. which bad and aggressive combat red collins, Osai said he suffered a hyperextended knee during the AFC Championship Game loss against Kansas City. The hyperextension of the knee required six weeks of rest, he told reporters, which coincided with his labrum recovery.
On the final drive of the game, Osai was slow to get up after bringing down the Kansas City quarterback. patrick mahomes, resulting in a 15-yard penalty that moved the ball closer to the game-winning field goal in the Chiefs’ 23–20 victory. Osai’s game against Kansas City was arguably the best of his young career. According to ESPN Stats & Info, he had a team-high five quarterback pressures, which was also his high mark for his 2022 season.
Osai said he hoped to improve for the second time in three years and be in a position to help the Bengals win the AFC title.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about this and I’m still processing the mistake today, but it’s a thing of the past,” Osai told reporters. “Now I’m looking forward to going back out there and writing about that wrong. There’s a lot to be done to right that wrong. But the ultimate [thing] I’d go back and win that thing and then obviously go back to the Super Bowl.”
