Trae Waynes: Cincinnati Bengals cornerback exits practice with injury

Trae Waynes exited Cincinnati Bengals practice early on Wednesday after suffering an apparent hamstring injury, according to multiple sources.

Pro Football Talk said Waynes pulled up during 11-on-11 drills and limped off the field, having difficulty putting weight on his right leg. Multiple reports indicated Waynes took off his helmet in frustration before trainers began applying ice to his hamstring. Waynes remained on the sideline for several minutes, before walking back to the locker room with trainers.

Waynes Injury concerns

Waynes missed the entire 2020 season with a torn pectoral after signing a three-year, $42 million free-agent deal with Cincinnati that March after spending his first five seasons with the Vikings.

During his time in Minnesota, Waynes has recorded seven interceptions and 42 passes defensed.

The 11th overall selection from the 2015 NFL Draft shined in his early years making the pro transition out of Michigan State.

Trae Waynes vital to secondary depth

All indications this offseason were the Bengals’ coaching staff were counting on Waynes as a key contributor to the 2021 defense, specifically at the cornerback position.

Cincinnati lost its shutdown corner, William Jackson III who departed for Washington on a free-agent deal worth  $40.5 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. 

The 28-year-old Jackson is a former first-round pick who garnered the No. 25 spot in Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 free agents of 2021 and is hauling in a pay day to match his lofty status among free-agent cornerbacks.

Mackensie Alexander was another big loss to the Bengals secondary, though his time in orange and black was limited. He played in 13 games and made 10 starts for the Bengals, recording 47 total tackles (32 solo) with a tackle for loss, six passes defensed and an interception in 2020. He played a career-high 642 defensive snaps with the Bengals.

Contingency plan without Waynes

Even with the loss of talents like Jackson and Alexander, it appears as if the Cincinnati brass went all-in in loading its roster with skilled, veteran depth in the defensive backfield.

Former Pittsburgh slot corner Mike Hilton and former Dallas cornerback Chidobe Awuzie were signed as unrestricted free agents, replacing Alexander and Jackson, respectively. The Bengals also added former Ohio State star Eli Apple, a former first-round draft pick.

There’s no arguing if Tre Waynes faces significant time on the bench it will be a blow to a promising unit, but at least the Bengals have prepped for the worst while hoping for the best.