Veteran Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert was “limited” at OTAs last week according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Eifert was reportedly moving at “half speed” and didn’t participate in 11-on-11 drills. Back surgery limited Eifert to just two games last year, though the tight end plans to be a full go for training camp. “I’m on schedule,” he said. “I don’t want to go out there and have any setbacks or anything, so just methodically moving forward.”
Originally the No.21-overall pick in the 2013 draft out of Notre Dame, Eifert has always been a major redzone target for Bengals QB Andy Dalton but he just cannot stay healthy. Now 27, Eifert has never played a full 16-game schedule in his five-year NFL career and his medical history looks like that of a player a decade older.
Despite his problems getting an staying on the field, the Bengals signed Eifert to a one-year deal for up to $8 million in March in hopes that he can return to form that had him leading all tight ends with 13 touchdowns in 15 games in 2015. If 2018 proves to be another lost season for the talented tight end, he may have to hang up his cleats for good.