Cincinnati Bengals' injuries at key positions are piling up

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals have endured an eventful training camp, and that's not what you want.

A rash of injuries to top prospects and projected starters is challenging the team's depth at several positions.

Cornerback William Jackson III, the Bengals' top draft choice, is out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle suffered early in camp.

Defensive tackle Andrew Billings, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor, is out with a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury that could threaten his season.

This week, it was revealed starting right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi had suffered a toe injury that could keep him out for two to three weeks.

Veteran receiver Brandon LaFell who was signed this offseason to play alongside A.J. Green, has missed practice with what's being reported as a hand injury.

The Bengals broke camp on Tuesday inside Paul Brown Stadium hoping that the news will only get better.

"Injuries are part of football," coach Marvin Lewis said. "The impact of injuries is more instantaneous because everybody hears about it. It's a bigger deal. It's part of it. That's why we put the squad together the way we did. You've got to have depth and guys who can step up and play."

Billings, a Big 12 co-defensive player of the year in 2015, was carted off the practice field on Wednesday. A surgical procedure on Monday, three days before the Bengals' second preseason game at the Detroit Lions, showed the extent of Billings' injury.

Ogbuehi played well on 39 snaps in Friday's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury did not appear to have occurred during the game.

Jake Fisher likely will replace Ogbuehi on the right side, which might be a blessing in disguise for his experience.

"It's great for (Fisher) to have the opportunity to play both sides," Lewis said.

Cincinnati was banged up to begin camp.

Tight end Tyler Eifert is rehabbing an ankle injury suffered in the Pro Bowl. Tyler Kroft, who appeared on track for the starting role in Eifert's place, also is out with a knee injury.

Cornerback Darqueze Dennard hopes to recover from an ankle injury in time for the regular-season opener.

The good news for the Bengals is that there's considerable depth at most positions, particularly at defensive line and in the secondary.

If LaFell is out for an extended period, the development of some of the Bengals' young receivers will need to be expedited.

Depth is a commodity in the NFL where injuries are commonplace, but it's never good to lose your top two draft picks and several key contributors for any length of time less than a month before the start of the season.

"To be a good team, you better have some depth," Lewis said.

The Bengals were relatively healthy last year before quarterback Andy Dalton broke his thumb making a tackle. The injury ended his season and ultimately the team's hopes of a deep playoff run.

Cincinnati opens the regular season on Sept. 11 at the New York Jets.

"The fortunate thing is when it counts, to have everybody up and running," Lewis said.