The Cincinnati Bengals have been plagued by injuries this season, and unfortunately, that trend continues. Cornerback DJ Turner II sustained a fractured clavicle during the Bengals’ Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. As a result, Turner will be placed on the injured reserve list. He is expected to miss at least four weeks, though no specific timeline for his return has been given.
DJ Turner II placed on IR with a fractured clavicle
While Bengals head coach Zac Taylor did not officially label DJ Turner’s injury as season-ending, there is a real possibility that the second-year cornerback has played his last snap of the 2024 season. If the team manages a playoff run, Turner could potentially return to the active roster, but that scenario now seems unlikely.
Turner’s injury marks the second major loss in the Bengals’ secondary, as the team is already without Dax Hill for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL. With Turner now sidelined, the Bengals face even more challenges in their defensive backfield.
Hill’s injury is a major blow to the Bengals, especially since DJ Turner had been playing well at a position where depth had already been a concern. Turner started six games this season, recording 29 tackles and eight passes defended. He was also one of the Bengals’ five highest-graded players in their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Cornerback has been a trouble spot for Cincinnati all season, and with Turner now sidelined, they’re even thinner at the position unless they make external additions. Cam Taylor-Britt, who was benched against Los Angeles, is expected to move back into a starting role alongside Josh Newton.
Unless there’s an unexpected turnaround during the bye week, the Bengals’ secondary is likely to remain a weakness. They’ve allowed 34 points or more in three of their last four games, highlighting the urgent need for improvements. This will certainly be a priority area for the team to address in the offseason.
