DJ Turner injury: Bengals CB leaves game following tough landing vs. Chargers

Bengals corner DJ Turner was injured on Sunday Night Football, after he was diving to make a play while covering Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston. Turner was immediately shaken up on the play and tended to by trainers. He immediately was taken to the locker room to be evaluated by the Bengals training staff.

Quentin Johnston vs DJ Turner

Advantage DJ Turner x3 🥇🥇🥇 pic.twitter.com/XnZN8a3LJy

— Landon Holifield ✭ (@TheLandoShow) November 18, 2024

The Bengals Twitter account posted that he has been officially ruled out of the game with a collarbone injury. Melissa Stark also noted that he went back to the locker room to get x-rays. He won’t be coming back in on Sunday Night Football. Before leaving the game, Turner was playing very well in coverage against Quentin Johnston for much of the night.

The Chargers and Bengals game has gotten highly entertaining in the fourth quarter, with the teams tied up at 27-27.

More on DJ Turner and his college football career

Turner did not play during the COVID-affected 2020 season but put up solid numbers in the following two years. He finished his Michigan career with 69 total tackles, 53 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, 17 pass deflections, one fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns.

Turner still needs some polish to his game. His speed can occasionally work against him as he overplays routes and he had moments where he got a little handsy or struggled to locate the ball.  But the raw tools and upside are evident based on his stat line and ability to man the secondary in a tough Michigan defense that won back-to-back Big Ten titles.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Turner was a four-star recruit out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 44 overall prospect in the state, the No. 36 cornerback in the class and the No. 369 overall prospect in the class.

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.