Will Hayden Hurst Play vs. the Bengals? Week 11 Injury Status & Updates

Cincinnati Bengals and Hayden Hurst Injury Updates

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11 of the NFL season. One of the key players to watch in this matchup will be tight end Hayden Hurst. Hurst has been dealing with a calf injury that has kept him out of the past two games.

Hurst's Injury Status

Hurst suffered the calf injury in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. He missed the following game against the Carolina Panthers and was also inactive for the Bengals' Week 10 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. According to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, Hurst is making progress in his recovery but is still not ready to return to game action. Taylor said that Hurst is "day-to-day" and will be evaluated throughout the week.

Hurst's Impact on the Bengals

Hurst has been a key part of the Bengals' offense this season. In eight games, he has caught 23 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He is also one of the team's best blockers at the tight end position. If Hurst is unable to play against the Steelers, it would be a big loss for the Bengals. The Steelers have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, and Hurst would be a valuable weapon for quarterback Joe Burrow.

Hurst's Week 11 Outlook

As of right now, it is still too early to say whether or not Hurst will play against the Steelers. He is making progress in his recovery, but he is still not ready to return to game action. The Bengals will likely make a decision on Hurst's status later this week. If he is unable to play, the Bengals will likely turn to Drew Sample or Mitchell Wilcox to fill his role.