The Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to end the 2019 NFL season on a high note against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. It seems any hope of wide receiver AJ Green making his debut can now officially be erased.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Bengals have opted to place him on injured reserve:

After waiting on him for the entire season, the Bengals have placed WR AJ Green on Injured Reserve. This officially closes the door on him on him playing for 2019.

The decision should hardly come as any surprise since it had essentially been a foregone conclusion that this would be a lost season for Green. Cincinnati had been optimistic to the point where even head coach Zac Taylor expected him to be back in the mix, however, it ultimately never came to fruition after he suffered multiple setbacks with the ankle injury.

There is now plenty of speculation regarding Green future with the team as both sides get set to negotiate new contract this offseason. There is no telling how long this could potentially drag out and it could have implications on his activity with the team. At the very least, the Bengals are expected to place the franchise tag on him before he hits free agency.

It is no secret that the Bengals are in the midst of a grueling rebuild and have a number of voids to fill on the roster following an abysmal 1-14 campaign. Whether or not a payday for Green is still in the books remains to be seen.