The Cincinnati Bengals have been missing a healthy Bryan Cook as he has been recovering from an ankle injury.
The veteran safety was in and out of the lineup in the Week 3 loss to the Steelers, then missed the following week vs. the Jaguars. The Bengals dropped both games. While he did return for the Week 5 win at Miami, he struggled to make an impact in the 31-24 victory.
As the Bengals prepare for the Ravens offense, having Cook back at full strength will be a welcome sight for Bengals fans. He is also excited to get back on the field after the bye week.
Cook spoke with Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19 this week and had this to say about heading into the week:
“I’m excited to really go. You don’t know how well you feel until you really push yourself. It’s like life. When you hit those extremes, you’re alive.”
Cook also knows how important it will be to contain Lamar Jackson if he returns after facing him in so many important games with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“You have to try to contain Lamar,” Cook said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s one of the best dual-threats if not the best dual threat of this generation. He’s very explosive. He has a tank in the backfield with 22 (Henry). You try to contain those two. They have a high-powered offense. We have to slow them down, capitalize on missed opportunities, get a turnover, and be physical. It’s the AFC North.”
The defense has struggled at times this season, but getting a fully healthy Cook back will be a big win for the safeties group. It will also be a major boost to have a veteran leader on the back end of this defense, especially against an offense that can be one of the most dynamic in the league when it’s clicking.
Will be fun to see Cook back on the field at full strength.