The Cincinnati Bengals selected offensive tackle Jonah Williams out of Alabama with the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
However, they have not really gotten to see him at all. A shoulder injury has kept Williams out all year.
Currently, he is on the PUP (Physically Unable To Perform) list. He has now been cleared to practice though.
The #Bengals cleared OT Jonah Williams (Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform) to resume practicing with the team, and signed WR DaMarkus Lodge to the practice squad.
š°: https://t.co/RvM4jJx0Fd pic.twitter.com/q48AO3SLl4
ā Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 12, 2019
Williams is still on the PUP list. This just means he can practice with the team without them needing to place him on the 53-man roster.
That being said, CincinnatiĀ can activate him before the end of the year if they want to. So there is still a chance the offensive tackle gets some game time in 2019.
What the Bengals decide to do with Williams this season will likely depend on how he practices. Now that they get to see how he progresses with the team, and just how healthy he is, this decision will be a lot easier.
The Bengals still have three games left in the 2019 season. Although they are just 1-12, a lot of good could still come in those three games. A big part of that could be talent evaluation.
While there is an argument to be made that they should sit Williams and let him completely heal up for 2020, you could also argue that it would be great to give him some experience for the future.
Either way, that decision likely will not be made until Williams has practiced with the team for a little bit, giving them an idea of exactly where the offensive tackle is in his development and his health.
This was just the first step in the right direction.
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