Carl Lawson looked poised to become a game-wrecking force following an 8.5 sack 2017 beginner performance. Then the Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher went final 14, down early in Week 8 with a torn right ACL.
During seven full weeks of the 2018 campaign, Lawson created just 1 sack, but supplied consistent pressure off the Bengals’ edge. His injury was a huge setback to Cincy’s defense, and the product the Bengals deployed the rest of the year reflected his absence. The 24-year-old entered the NFL with health issues following managing injuries during his stint at Auburn, such as a left ACL tear.
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During offseason workouts this summer, Lawson rehabbed across the side, and it has insisted he isn’t pushing to be ready for training camp till he is 100 percent. On Monday, the defensive end told NFL Network’s Good Morning Soccer he is eyeing Week 1.
“The goal is to be out there Week 1, and I’m feeling great,” Lawson said. “Happily I can look after my body, I have lots of unique resources, I can fly to places, I will do everything beneath the sun because I’ve got the cash to do it. Thus, it’s been a fantastic rehabilitation procedure.”
Through one and a half seasons, Lawson displayed a nose to the quarterback, together with the capacity to use blazing speed on the border and flip that speed into power when needed. The expectation is that after he is healthy, the new regime in Cincinnati will use him more than the usual rotational rusher as he develops.
The injury-ravaged Bengals saw key pieces move down last season, including Lawson, Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Preston Brown and Tyler Eifert. Every group deals with injuries, but the Bengals seem to be especially snakebitten of late — watching first-round pick Jonah Williams return this offseason with a shoulder injury.
Lawson considers if the Bengals can remain fit, they could surprise in 2019.
“You can expect a lot, but at the exact same time, in this league, that is what separates different groups, being able to be healthy throughout the entire year,” he explained. “I think the main thing is being able to have that depth, which take over, so when things do occur. You know, since everybody’s like’Oh, well if we were healthy, if this or thatwhatever’ — maybe not that many injuries as we had last year — but I think you can expect a lot from us.”
With a new coach in Zac Taylor, the Bengals stay a puzzle in the AFC North. An entirely healthy Lawson to begin the 2019 campaign would provide a gigantic boost to a defense that could offer an intriguing combination of rush and protection ability if everybody can stay on the field.
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