Cincinnati Bengals DE Joseph Ossai Returns to Practice, but Cam Sample Watches With Ankle Injury

The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be moving closer to full health as they start their practices for Sunday’s home opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Who Is and Isn’t Practicing Today for the Cincinnati Bengals?

Defensive end Joseph Ossai, who was the only player ruled out for the season opener at Cleveland, arrived at practice today in shells and with his helmet, a sign that he will be at least a limited participant for the first time since the team’s final session before the preseason finale at Washington.

Ossai looks like he’ll be practicing pic.twitter.com/YGv2EhkCDH

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 13, 2023

Ossai suffered a right ankle injury on the opening series of that game and has not practiced since, although he has been doing rehab work on the side.

Head coach Zac Taylor assessed the health status of his team as a whole during his pre-practice news conference.

“I think we are good,” he said. “There might be a couple of situations to get through practice where guys are maybe limited, maybe full go. But I think that we are in a really good spot.”

One of those situations he referenced apparently involves defensive lineman Cam Sample, who was at practice but not wearing shells or a helmet. While the other 68 players on the active roster and practice squad were going through stretching, Sample was riding a stationary bike alongside director of rehab Nick Cosgray.

No helmet tor Cam Sample pic.twitter.com/3DsKmf73Ur

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 13, 2023

Sample played 29 snaps (39%) Sunday in the 24-3 loss to the Browns. He recorded six tackles, the most on the team among non-starters.

We will know later this afternoon what sort of injury Sample is dealing with. The injury report should be out sometime after 4 p.m.

UPDATE: It’s an ankle injury for Sample, who did not practice at all.

Ossai was listed as a limited participant in his return to the field, while linebacker Logan Wilson (ankle) and running back Chris Evans (hamstring) also were limited.

Joe Burrow remains listed on the injury report with the calf, but he was listed as a full participant, as he has been since the practice updates became mandatory last Wednesday. Safety Dax Hill was a new entry on the report with a hand, but he also was a full participant.

https://x.com/Ravens/status/1702058138751422548?s=20