Only an hour after the signing of linebacker Preston Brown, news broke that Vontaze Burfict will serve yet another suspension. Now, the Bengals will be without the help of the former Pro Bowler for the fourth season opener in a row.
2017 was not a good season for Bengals linebackers. Burfict spent the first three weeks serving a suspension before he ended the season on injured reserve after playing in only 10 games.
Fellow starters Nick Vigil and Kevin Minter both missed significant playing time due to injury. While rookies Jordan Evans and Brandon Bell were decent stand-ins, the Bengals banged-up defense definitely felt the weight of missing playmakers.