They've toppled Goliath, but the job isn't finished quite yet for David. As the Cincinnati Bengals rightfully celebrate winning their matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, they do so knowing they overcame an early 18-point deficit in one of the most hostile territories in the entire NFL. They were also forced to do it with quarterback Joe Burrow missing a key weapon in C.J. Uzomah, the tight end going down late in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury -- subsequently being ruled out for the remainder of the game after being carted to the locker room.
Uzomah reportedly suffered a sprained MCL -- per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network -- which does draw some exhales from all parties involved. After seeing the veteran lose 14 games in 2020 due to a torn Achilles, the current injury not only wildly pales in comparison, but it also gives him a shot at taking the field in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
"Hopefully I'll be back in two weeks," an optimistic Uzomah said following the victory at Arrowhead Stadium, via The Cincinnati Enquirer. "I know the training staff. I've been here -- after the Achilles [injury], I know what they're capable of, and crazier things have happened. So I'm looking forward to trying to get after it and help my team to the Super Bowl."
Clearly emotional and in tears after going down against the Chiefs, Uzomah explained just how hard it was to not be available to aid in his team's efforts on Sunday afternoon.
"That's the worst feeling," he said. "I did it all of last year -- with the exception of two games -- and it was a feeling that I didn't want to have to deal with again. ... It was ridiculously tough. It's the AFC Championship.
"You don't want to be on the sideline, but it was fun to see the boys -- with the resolve they had -- come back and get this win."
It's now on to the Rams, who become just the second team in NFL history to host the Super Bowl. Defeating them will strong effort from all three phases of football by the Bengals, this year's underdog who continues to prove they're anything but, and having Uzomah on the field -- a favorite target of Burrow -- will go a long way to potentially helping them lift the franchise's first-ever Lombardi trophy.
