Bengals update status of CJ Uzomah, Jackson Carman ahead of Super Bowl 56

The Cincinnati Bengals are still awaiting status updates on two key components of their offense, as tight end CJ Uzomah and guard Jackson Carman work their way back from injury. As of Thursday, it appears that Carman is closer to returning than Uzomah.

On Thursday, Uzomah was once again a non-participant in Bengals practice, as he continues to nurse a MCL Sprain that he suffered in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Carman, on the other hand, is trending further in the right direction as he recovers from a back injury. Carman was at least a limited participant in practice, so his status for the Super Bowl is certainly more optimistic that Uzomah’s — at least, for the moment.

During his Wednesday press conference, head coach Zac Taylor gave an update on CJ Uzomah, providing a look at whether he will be able to play in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

“Again, we’ve got three more days of work to see where he’s at,” Taylor said, via NBC Sports. “He won’t practice today but he’ll likely get in some work tomorrow. So, again, optimistic with where he’s at.”

Uzomah was carted off the field less than two weeks ago during the AFC Championship game after playing just nine snaps. As he left the game, several experts speculated that the injury could be serious enough to hold him out this week, but he has refused to miss out on this opportunity.

He finished with 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, adding 13 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown so far in the postseason. As the Bengals top tight end on the depth chart, Uzomah plays a key role both in the passing game and rushing attack.

Uzomah also expressed his desire to compete in the Super Bowl this week, saying that he did not plan to muss the biggest game of his life no matter what injury he suffered.

More about CJ Uzomah

Despite missing practice last week, Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah is adamant that his injury won’t hold him back on Sunday. Cincinnati is looking for its first Super Bowl win and needs all hands on deck to take down the star-studded Rams.

“To me, I’m like I’m not missing the biggest game of my life. Right? Like, I’m not missing it,” Uzomah told reporters to kick off Super Bowl 56 week. “So that’s my approach going into every day of rehab. If I wake up, and I’m like, ‘Oh, man, it’s a little sore,’ it doesn’t matter. … Right when I put my feet on the ground, it’s go time. Let’s get this rehab going. Let’s do everything I can to make sure I’m ready and available to play. That’s kind of where my mind is.”

An MCL sprain can have varying recovery times depending on severity. However, after the week of rest and rehab, Uzomah projected confidence in his knee on Monday.

“I feel good,” Uzomah said. “I feel really, really good.”

On3’s James Fletcher III contributed to this report.