Carl Lawson looked poised to become a game-wrecking force following an 8.5 sack 2017 rookie performance. The Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher went down early in Week 8 with a torn right ACL.
During seven complete weeks of this 2018 campaign, Lawson generated just 1 sack, but supplied consistent pressure off the Bengals’ border. His injury was a massive blow to Cincy’s defense, along with the merchandise the Bengals deployed the rest of the season reflected his absence. The 24-year-old entered the NFL with health concerns after managing injuries during his stint in 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 is not pushing to prepare for training camp unless he is 100 percent. On Monday, the defensive end told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football he is eyeing Week 1.
“The goal is to be out there Week 1, and I am feeling good,” Lawson said. “Happily I can take care of my body, I’ve got lots of unique tools, I will fly to areas, I will do everything underneath the sun because I’ve got the cash to do it. So, it’s been a fantastic rehabilitation process.”
Through a half seasons, Lawson displayed a nose to the quarterback, together with the ability to use blazing speed on the edge and flip that rate into electricity when needed. The expectation is that after he is healthy, the new regime in Cincinnati will use him more than the usual rotational rusher since he grows.
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 accidents, but the Bengals appear to be especially snakebitten of late — already watching first-round pick Jonah Williams go down this offseason with a shoulder injury.
Lawson believes if the Bengals can stay fit, they might surprise in 2019.
“You can expect a lot, but at exactly the same time, in this league, that is what separates different groups, being able to be healthy during the entire year,” he said. “I believe that the major issue is being able to get that depth, and that carry over, so when things do occur. You know, because everybody’s like’Oh, well if we were wholesome, if this or that, whatever’ — maybe not that many injuries as we had last year — but I believe that you can expect a great deal from us.”
With a new coach in Zac Taylor, the Bengals remain a mystery in the AFC North. A fully healthy Lawson to start the 2019 effort would offer a gigantic increase to a defense which may offer an intriguing mixture of rush and protection skill if everyone can stay on the field.
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