Injury to Bengals’ as $40 Million Defensive End Required Significant Surgery was extensive than originally thought
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard underwent significant offseason surgery on his right ankle following an injury that sidelined him for two games last season. ESPN’s Ben Baby reported on April 22 that Hubbard had a complete deltoid reconstruction and a TightRope procedure to address the ankle issue.
Hubbard, currently in the final year of a 4-year, $40 million contract signed in 2021, faced challenges in the 2023 season due to missing five games and recording his lowest sack total since 2020. Despite confirming no cartilage damage in his ankle, Hubbard acknowledged the impact on his performance last season. His pass-rush win rate in the final five games of 2023 ranked 49th out of 54 players in the NFL, as per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Bengals Battled Injuries in Key Spots in 2023
The 2023 season for the Cincinnati Bengals was marked by injuries, with quarterback Joe Burrow also affected. Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury that required surgery, causing him to miss the last seven games of the season.
Sam Hubbard, a key defensive player for the Bengals, has been known for his pass-rushing abilities and clutch performances when healthy. A third-round pick from Ohio State in 2018, Hubbard has amassed 35.5 career sacks in six seasons. During the 2021 postseason, he emerged as a standout defensive player, contributing 22 tackles and 3.0 sacks in four games, which culminated in a Super Bowl appearance.
In 2022, the Bengals continued to excel, reaching the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Hubbard played a significant role in their success, recording 2 fumble recoveries and a game-winning 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 24-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round.
"I was so scared of getting caught!" 😅@Sam_Hubbard_ was mic'd up for his iconic 98-yard touchdown. (via @NFLFilms, @insidetheNFL) pic.twitter.com/IV8KvOBKyf
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2023
