AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens

Bengals

Bengals first-round OT Jonah Williams was drafted with high expectations by Cincinnati as someone who would finally help solidify an offensive line that’s been in flux. Instead, Williams became the latest high Bengals draft pick to pick up a serious injury as a rookie, tearing his labrum during OTA’s. 

“There was a distinct moment when it happened,” Williams said via the Athletic’s Jay Morrison. “I forget which day it was specifically, but there was this one play where I was like, ‘Ah, that wasn’t good.’ It didn’t feel good, but I kept playing. I played with it for about a week or two of OTAs. But I kept having repeat incidents, so I went and talked to the medical staff and got an MRI, and they told me right away what it was.”

Williams went from starting all 44 games during his career at Alabama to facing a six-month recovery. While the Bengals haven’t yet placed him on injured reserve, the prognosis for this season doesn’t look good. 

“I never thought it would be that bad,” Williams said. “I didn’t think it was painful enough to warrant six months (of recovery). But there’s just this lack of stability in that region, and it’s really important for a left tackle to have a stable left shoulder. So I get it. It’s really just terrible luck. I never missed a start in college. For me to get hurt in OTAs is pretty terrible luck.”

Browns

• Browns HC Freddie Kitchens says RB Kareem Hunt‘s timetable following groin surgery is 4-6 weeeks, which puts him on pace to return following his eight-game suspension. (Mary Kay Cabot)
• Kitchens did not have a timetable for sixth-round G Drew Forbes following his “minor’ knee injury. (Nate Ulrich)

Ravens

• According to the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste is likely headed to injured reserve and a release with a settlement following sports hernia surgery.