Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Tackle Will Play in Week 3

The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line should be close to full strength for their Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets. ESPN's Dianna Russini reports offensive tackle La'el Collins declared himself ready to go early Sunday Morning.

Just spoke to Bengals La’el Collins. He is listed as questionable today but he is going to be active against the NYJ.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 25, 2022

Collins had been listed as questionable due to a back injury sustained in the Bengals' Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He missed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday practices earlier in the week, so his availability today was anything but a given. The Bengals offensive line has struggled to open the 2022 regular season, allowing quarterback Joe Burrow to be sacked a league-leading 13 times through two games while managing a mere 3.8 yards per carry on the ground. Collins' presence should at least keep the unit from playing any worse.

Collins joined the Bengals this offseason along with center Ted Karras and guard Alex Cappa as part of the team's broad, sweeping effort to remake an offensive line that allowed Burrow to be sacked a staggering 70 times in regular season and postseason play last year. The moves have yet to pay dividends, but continuity could go a long way towards the unit building chemistry and cohesion over the remainder of the season. If the Bengals intend to claw their back into contention after their 0-2 start, they'll need their line to play better, and that will take their best players being on the field.