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Ben Baby, ESPN Staff Writer
One of the Cincinnati Bengals‘ top pass-rushers was knocked out of Saturday’s preseason finale with an injury.
Defensive end Joseph Ossai was ruled out of a 21-19 loss to the Washington Commanders with a right ankle injury, the team announced.
On the opening drive of the game, Ossai appeared to limp following a first-and-10 on Washington’s 46-yard line. He did not return.
In his postgame news conference, Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters the severity of Ossai’s injury was unknown.
“Could be a sprain,” Taylor said. “We’ll find out.”
Last season was Ossai’s first full year in the NFL after he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in a preseason game against Tampa Bay in 2021, his rookie season. Ossai was third on the team with 3.5 sacks. He also registered 15 pressures in 15 regular-season games.
Ossai, who was a third-round draft pick out of Texas, had offseason surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum he suffered against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14 of last season.
Ossai made the start at Washington alongside rookie defensive end Myles Murphy, the Bengals’ first-round draft pick.
In Cincinnati’s loss, quarterback Jake Browning strengthened his case to back up Joe Burrow — and potentially start Week 1 if the franchise quarterback is not ready — finishing a perfect 6-of-6 for 42 yards and a touchdown pass in the first half.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
