Bengals move La'el Collins to Non-Football Injury list ahead of training camp

The Cincinnati Bengals made a surprising move ahead of training camp by moving lineman La’el Collins to the Active/Non-Football Injury list. Collins is one of the biggest additions to the Bengals offense this year, having been cut by the Dallas Cowboys after last season and signing a three-year contract with Cincinnati.

La’el Collins on Bengals’ injury list

The Bengals announced the move on Saturday without much information, simply releasing a statement that Collins was beginning training camp on the injury list. The reveal that he’s on the NFI [Non-Football Injury] list has sent fans searching for the reason why they made the move prior to training camp opening in full.

“Offensive tackle La’el Collins has been placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list,” is all the Bengals’ statement offered.

The former LSU and Dallas star was a surprising loss to the Cowboys’ roster as he spent his first six seasons with Dallas before being cut by the team. As an undrafted signing, Collins became a starter in his rookie season while Dallas battled injuries. In his six year career he has started 71 games, and was expected to be a major addition to a new offensive line focused on protecting Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow better.

Collins was well aware of his new assignment when he accepted the job with Cincinnati, and his comments since leaving Dallas for the Bengals have made his upcoming season an exciting one to watch — especially after his promise to Burrow that he made when he first signed with the team.

“Your new bodyguard is in town, no one’s touching you,” Collins said to Burrow.

Collins also explained why he chose the Bengals as his destination, highlighting his history with offensive line coach Frank Pollack.

“There are good fits and perfect fits. I felt like this was the perfect fit from the jump. Obviously my history with Coach Frank [Pollack]. The type of coach he is. His standards are high. He’s the best offensive line coach I’ve been around since I’ve been in the NFL, hands down. And getting back to work with him. And also the players on this team you see and look at the guys around that helped bring this team to where it is. What other team would you want to be part of?”