All Bengals

Another Injured Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Player Could Be Back on the Field Soon

Jay Morrison

Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey (38) celebrates his fumble recovery with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey (38) celebrates his fumble recovery with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey II practiced today for the first time since tearing the ACL in his left knee in December, and the hardest part of his day was suppressing a smile.

Talking to reporters after practice, Ivey was trying to keep a straight face.

“You can smile, bro,” teammate Tycen Anderson kept telling him while taking pictures of the scrum of reporters surrounding Ivey.

“They're definitely excited, Ivey said of his teammates. “They've been hyping me up all day. I'm feeling good and just excited to be back and help this team improve.”

The Bengals listed Ivey as a full participant in today’s practice, and he said he feels as though he’s ready to contribute right away.

He acknowledged that Dax Hill’s season-ending ACL injury likely accelerated the team’s decision to open his 21-day practice window, which means the Bengals have three weeks to remove Ivey from the Physically Unable to Perform list or he will be out for the season.

“I’m just blessed to be here,” the 2023 seventh-round pick said. “I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a practice more.

“(Rehab) has been challenging, but it’s all a mindset,” Ivey said. “Coming to rehab every day like that’s my game day, just taking it head on each and every day.”

Ivey played 113 special teams snaps last year, participating on kick return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage.

It was on the latter where he was really starting to excel last year as a gunner, recording a pair of tackles and recovering a fumble.

The Bengals rank 10th in the league in fewest punt return yards allowed with a 7.1 average.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

-----

Join the 47,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Follow on TikTok

Published |Modified
Jay Morrison
JAY MORRISON

Jay Morrison covers the Cincinnati Bengals for Bengals On SI. He has been writing about the NFL for nearly three decades. Combining a passion for stats and storytelling, Jay takes readers beyond the field for a unique look at the game and the people who play it. Prior to joining Bengals on SI, Jay covered the Cincinnati Bengals beat for The Athletic, the Dayton Daily News and Pro Football Network.