Cincinnati Bengals WR Cody Core (leg) carted off field at minicamp

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis' primary objective is to get through summer workouts injury-free, especially after last year's injury-riddled training camp.

On Wednesday during mandatory minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium, wide receiver Cody Core sustained an apparent left leg injury and was carted off the field. Core, who was having a strong offseason, was to undergo X-rays to determine the extent of the injury.

Core was working hard to solidify his role on a deep receiving corps. The injury comes at a bad time for Core, who appeared to be on the outside looking in with speedster John Ross being drafted in the first round and big, physical rookie Josh Malone joining A.J. Green and Brandon LaFell and second-year Tyler Boyd.

But, that's not necessarily the case.

The experience Core gained last season, even with limited contribution, might give him a leg up. That, and the fact that a shoulder injury could keep Ross out of full action until August.

"The playing experience Cody got last year has been very beneficial to him and everyone on the football team to be able to see his abilities," Lewis said during this week's mandatory minicamp. "It gives him the confidence to come out and work in the offseason and know that he can achieve higher goals. He's got higher level of plays out there for him. He's got the physical tools, and I'm sure in his own mind he always believes that."

Core, who is considered a speed guy and deep threat perhaps not to the level of Ross, had 17 catches for 200 yards and no touchdowns last season while appearing in eight games. He hauled in a 50-yard reception in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

"It's good for Andy (Dalton) to get a trust level with him," Lewis said. "Everybody benefited from it."

Now, the Bengals await word on the extent of Core's injury and whether it will impact his status for training camp.

--CB Dre Kirkpatrick's right hand is healing, but he will not be involved in any contact during this week's mandatory minicamp.

Kirkpatrick arrived at OTAs last month with his hand in a cast due to a small fracture. His recovery has gone as planned.

Kirkpatrick signed a five-year, $52 million contract this past offseason.

--Lewis likes the progress he's seen from TE Tyler Eifert, RB Giovani Bernard, and rookies WR John Ross and C J.J. Dielman as they recover from injuries.

Ross just began running routes. Eifert, Bernard and Dielman did not participate during the first two days of this week's mandatory minicamp.

"They all are in good position to be ready to go when we begin training camp, so that's what we need to be pleased with," Lewis said.