The Bengals have placed tight end Tyler Eifert on the injured reserve list with the designation to return, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Albert Breer of the NFL Network initially reported after Eifert suffered an elbow injury on Sunday that the young tight end would be a candidate for Cincinnati’s IR-DTR slot.
Eifert, who turned 24 on Monday, grabbed 39 balls for 445 yards in 2013, and was primed for a bigger role in the Bengals’ offense this season. Cincinnati made use of Eifert in tandem with Jermaine Gresham in two-tight end sets in 2013, and in 2014’s season opener, before the Notre Dame product went down with what appeared to be a dislocated elbow.
Because he received the designation to return, Eifert will be eligible to return to practice after six weeks, and can play in a game after eight weeks. That would put him on track to return to the field for Cincinnati’s November 16th contest against the Saints, assuming he’s ready at that point. In the interim, the Bengals may look to add another tight end to the 53-man roster.
To keep tabs on how the NFL’s 32 teams are using their IR-DTR spots, check out our complete list.