59 Nick Vigil LB

Vigil had a team-leading 11 tackles and played all of the defense's 82 snaps in Sunday's win over the Colts.

Vigil looked in full form after missing multiple games in 2017 due to ankle and back injuries. The linebacker's performance secures his role as Cincinnati's starting strong side linebacker for the foreseeable future, and Vigil's position appears unthreatened by rookie Malik Jefferson or second-year player Jordan Evans.

Vigil (ankle/back) claims he suffered a herniated disc last December while rehabbing his sprained ankle, Jim Owczarski of Cincinnati.com reports. "It was extremely frustrating because I was planning on coming back for the last couple games of the year and then had the back issue and they had to put me on IR," the linebacker said.

Vigil sprained his ankle in Week 12 against the Browns and ultimately missed the final five games of the 2017 season. While his ankle is likely recovered at this juncture, it isn't clear where he stands in his recovery from the back injury. The linebacker said he's been able to run and lift weights at the Bengals facility this offseason, and his next step is to receive medical clearance in time for May's Organized Team Activities.

Vigil (ankle) was placed on injured reserve by the Bengals on Friday.

Vigil had not practiced since suffering the ankle injury against the Browns in Week 12, and it was only a matter of time until he landed on IR. Linebacker Brandon Bell was added to the Bengals' roster last week to help bolster the team's linebacker depth, but he's unlikely to play a noteworthy defensive role.

Vigil (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

The Bengals have resisted moving Vigil to injured reserve, but with the linebacker having failed to practice this week and now set to miss a third consecutive game, his chances to play again before the season ends are dwindling. In addition to Vigil, the Bengals will be missing fellow starting linebackers Vontaze Burfict (concussion) and Kevin Minter (hamstring) on Sunday, leaving the team woefully thin at the second level.

The Bengals are considering placing Vigil (ankle) on injured reserve.

Vigil has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears, his second consecutive missed game after injuring his ankle against the Browns in Week 12. The move appears imminent at this point, with linebacker Brandon Bell a potential candidate to be promoted from the Bengals' practice squad.