After Cincinnati Bengals’ former first-round pick, Dax Hill, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, second-round pick from 2023, DJ Turner II emerged as the starting outside cornerback. Since then, Turner started the last six games in Hill’s stead and played well in relief. He recorded 29 tackles and eight pass deflections, allowing 23 receptions on 42 targets for 395 yards, one touchdown, and a 94.8 passer rating in coverage, per Pro Football Reference.
Unfortunately, the promising second-year defender’s 2024 campaign could be cut short due to injury.
The Cincinnati Bengals CB injured his clavicle on SNF
DJ Turner II deflected a long pass intended for Quentin Johnston and landed hard on his shoulder in the third quarter. Turner stayed on the ground for a while before going straight to the locker room for further examination. Tests determined that he suffered a fractured clavicle and will likely miss the rest of the season.
#Bengals CB DJ Turner II, who has emerged as a starter this season and was coming into his own, is feared to have suffered a fractured clavicle, sources say.
He’s getting a second opinion, but Turner is likely out for the season. pic.twitter.com/750sc387C6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
It was a matter of time when the Bengals would place their promising defensive back on injured reserve.
The Cincinnati Bengals plan to place him on IR
According to Ben Baby of ESPN, DJ Turner II will go to injured reserve with a broken clavicle. As Baby points out, Zac Taylor said it’s too early to determine whether he will miss the rest of the season. Losing him in the lineup regardless of missing the rest of 2024, is a devastating and big loss for the Bengals’ already shorthanded secondary.
Bengals CB DJ Turner will go on injured reserve with a broken clavicle.
Too early to tell if it’s season-ending, Taylor said.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 19, 2024
Who replaces him in the starting lineup?
While the Bengals will assess their options at the cornerback position, Josh Newton will likely start in his stead, and Cam Taylor-Britt will likely regain his old starting spot. During Sunday’s game, Newton replaced Taylor-Britt after his struggles in the first half, but CBT returned due to Turner’s injury.
