97 Geno Atkins DT

Atkins (shoulder) has been cleared for all football activity, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Atkins was placed on injured reserve in December 2020 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, but he's since returned to full strength. He figures to begin testing the waters and taking visits in the near future.

Coach Zac Taylor said Friday that the Bengals have released Atkins (shoulder), Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Atkins was a Pro Bowler in eight of his 11 seasons with the Bengals, but last year marked a sharp decline in his production. The 2020 campaign was the first of Atkins' career without a sack, and he was limited to just eight appearances due to recurring injuries, including a season-ending shoulder issue suffered mid-December. Now staring down his age-33 season, Atkins will focus on returning to full health before searching for a starting gig elsewhere in the league.

The Bengals placed Atkins (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Atkins has only suited up for eight contests this season, and he'll now be forced to miss the final three games of the year. The 2020 season will go down as the only one in the 11-year veteran's career without a sack. Atkins has spent his entire professional tenure with the Bengals to this point, but of his $14.8 million cap hit for 2021, only $5.2 million will be in dead money, giving Cincinnati a potential out.

Atkins was back at practice Thursday following the birth of his daughter, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Atkins missed Sunday's loss to the Steelers because of personal reasons, but now the eight-time Pro Bowler is back in the mix for Cincinnati's defensive line. He was sidelined for the first quarter of the regular season because of a shoulder injury, and he's logged only 17 defensive snaps per game over his four appearances. Atkins remains without a sack or a start after registering 4.5 sacks in 16 appearances (14 starts) in 2019.

Coach Zac Taylor said Friday that Atkins will be unavailable against Pittsburgh on Sunday for personal reasons, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

A timetable for the veteran defensive tackle's return remains undisclosed at this time. Atkins has been relegated to a backup role in four appearances this season, so in his stead Mike Daniels could end up handling increased work behind Xavier Williams and Christian Covington.

Atkins was relegated to a back up role in Sunday's loss to the Colts, Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Atkins was vocal about his frustration in a back up role, as he saw action in just 29 percent of defensive snaps in the contest. This will render Atkins' IDP value non-existent, as Xavier Williams and Christina Covington have taken over as starters at defensive tackle going forward.

Atkins did not dent the stat sheet in Sunday's loss to the Ravens, recording zero tackles in 19 snaps -- three on first downs, four on second downs and 11 on third downs, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Atkins got eased in during his first game action of the season, but the Bengals will need a lot more from him now that D.J. Reader is out for the season with a quad injury.

Atkins (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens.

After getting his first full practice of the season under his belt, Atkins has been given the green light to make his 2020 debut after the shoulder injury sidelined him for the Bengals' first four games. Cincinnati's lone Pro Bowler a season ago, Atkins should provide a major lift to a defensive-line group that lost Josh Tupou to an opt out and Mike Daniels (elbow) and Renell Wren (quadriceps) to injured reserve. Atkins and company will look to slow down a Ravens offense that ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards.

Coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Atkins (shoulder) is "progressing nicely" and may play Sunday against the Ravens, Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Atkins was limited in every practice last week but was inactive in Week 4's win over Jacksonville. It's clear he's trending in the right direction, and Taylor's vote of confidence is another encouraging sign. If Atkins indeed returns to the lineup, it'll be a key addition as the Bengals attempt to shut down the Ravens' versatile run offense.

Atkins (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Atkins took some steps in the right direction and was able to practice with pads this week, but his season debut will have to wait at least another week. He'll hope to be ready in time to face the Ravens in Week 5.

Atkins (shoulder) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Bengals team reporter Marisa Contipelli reports.

Atkins still hasn't suited up in a game this season, but he's making progress in his recovery, as he suited up in full pads for the first time all season Wednesday. The defensive tackle will hope to raise his practice participation as the week unfolds, which would set him up to make his season debut Sunday against the Jaguars.

Atkins (shoulder) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Atkins will miss a third straight game to begin the 2020 season. Coach Zac Taylor said Atkins is making solid progress, so perhaps he'll be ready for Week 4's matchup against the Jaguars. For the time being, Mike Daniels (groin) is expected to return to the lineup and start at defensive tackle versus the Eagles.

Atkins (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Atkins is hoping to shake off this injury and make his season debut Week 3 versus the Eagles, but he's trending in the wrong direction to begin the week. If he can practice in some capacity Thursday, however, that would be an encouraging sign. DT Christian Covington would likely start again if Atkins or DT Mike Daniels (groin) are both inactive.

Atkins (shoulder) was on the field for Monday's practice but without his helmet, instead working on the side, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.

A practice like this following a Thursday game typically has less intensity anyhow, so Atkins' lack of full participation isn't necessarily dispositive of his chances of playing Sunday against the Eagles.

Coach Zac Taylor said there's a chance Atkins (shoulder) could make his season debut at Philadelphia in Week 3, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The Bengals were without both Atkins and Mike Daniels (groin) during Thursday's loss to the Browns in which Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for an average of 6.6 yards on 32 carries. If Atkins is indeed able to suit up Week 3 after having started the season with back-to-back absences, his presence will provide a notable boost to Cincinnati's run defense.

Atkins (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Browns, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

With Atkins and fellow defensive tackle Mike Daniels (groin) both out, the Bengals will need Christian Covington and Andrew Brown to handle interior snaps alongside big-money offseason signing D.J. Reader. The two absences will result in a matchup upgrade for Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and the rest of the Cleveland offense, though offensive line injuries could essentially limit the skill players' overall effectiveness. Left tackle Jedrick Wills (shin) and right tackle Jack Conklin (finger) both missed practice time for the Browns this week and enter Thursday's game at less than 100 percent health.

Atkins (shoulder) didn't participate in Monday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Atkins didn't play in Week 1, missing his first game since the 2013 season, and he could be trending in the same direction with the quick turnaround ahead of Thursday's matchup versus the Browns. The Bengals were mediocre against the run without Atkins, allowing 148 yards on 33 carries (4.5 YPC) to the Chargers' running backs, and Atkins would bolster that unit in Week 2 against the touted tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. If he's unable to practice Tuesday, however, he'll likely sit out again Thursday.

The Bengals have ruled Atkins (shoulder) out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Atkins is dealing with a shoulder injury of unclear origin, but the severity of the issue is enough to break his streak of 96 games played. The veteran defensive tackle will work to earn medical clearance in time to suit up Week 2 against the Browns.

Atkins (shoulder) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Atkins' shoulder issue has prevented him from handling any practice reps this week. His 96-game played streak could be in jeopardy against the Chargers on Sunday.

Atkins (shoulder) headed to practice Thursday without his helmet, suggesting he won't practice again, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Atkins has a 96-games played streak that appears to be in jeopardy on Sunday against the Chargers.