Fans Dejected by Cincinnati Bengals Key Defender’s Devastating Injury

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cam Sample was carted off the field Thursday after going down during the team’s 11-on-11 session.

The following Monday it was announced that Sample tore his Achilles and will miss the entire 2024 season.

Cincinnati Bengals DE Cam Sample will miss a crucial development year

Bengals DE Cam Sample was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Had he stayed healthy, he would have been playing in his fourth NFL season in 2024.

Sample, who is still 24-years-old, has shown steady improvement every year. He has steadily improved in tackle numbers and quarterback hits, finishing with 29 tackles and eight quarterback hits in 2023. Sample’s Pro Football Focus grade has steadily improved each season as well.

Sample’s fourth season could’ve proven to be a crucial breakout season for the young defensive end, but now he will have to recover from one of the most devastating injuries in all of sports, a torn Achilles.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor had high praise for Sample, exemplifying how much of a loss he will be for the Bengals as a team despite limited production in his first three years on the field.

Zac on Sample: Consistent player, consistent person. Top-notch human being. Has always embraced his role and has been a ‘whatever I can do to help the team win’ type of guy since we drafted him.

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) August 5, 2024

Another reason the timing of the injury is not ideal for Sample is the fact that it is his contract year. Sample will not have an opportunity to prove himself and earn a bigger paycheck when the 2025 free agency period rolls around.

Fans all around the NFL hate to see season-ending injuries like the one Cincinnati Bengals DE Cam Sample has suffered

The Bengals, who are a part of one of the most tense divisions in all of football, received well wishes from fanbases around the NFL.

Despite intense rivalries with teams like the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, Bengals faithful were met with gratitude and empathy as the vast majority of NFL fans hate to see season-ending injuries, especially when they take place before the season even begins.

Such a shame injuries before the season even starts is terrible. Quick recovery for sample🙏🏼

— RJ (@phisportfanatic) August 5, 2024

Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping he comes back stronger next season.

— Manoj (@sammosboy) August 5, 2024

Awful news. Hate to see good players’ seasons end before they even begin. Hoping for a full recovery

— Joe Frias (@joefrias12) August 5, 2024

Wow that’s awful. Hope Murphy is ready for a big increase

— DizzleRules (@DizzleRules) August 5, 2024

So sad to hear. Sample has been a steady pro for us. And a contract year to boot. Heal up, Cam

— Mike Pantano (@mpants60) August 5, 2024

With Sample out, second-year defensive end Myles Murphy will have to step up and prove that he was worth a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Get More NFL and College Football Content

For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.