The Bengals’ A.J. Green is back, which is excellent news for Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati — Even though it wasn’t normal, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green enjoyed the moments leading up to Sunday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cardboard cutouts are taking the place of actual fans. The crowd made noise. A simulated national anthem.
In the first game of the coronavirus era, almost everything seemed odd. Green, who missed the entire 2019 season due to an ankle ailment, was simply relieved to be back in a game uniform.
On Sunday, Green demonstrated why the Bengals need him on the field and how valuable he can be to rookie quarterback Joe Burrow’s growth. Green had five catches on nine targets for 51 yards in a 16-13 loss, leading the team in all three receiving statistics.
Green sounded pleased with his first game since December 2, 2018, even if the outcome was far from perfect.
“Shortly before kickoff, I was just going through the whole emotions,” he added. “But it was nice to come back, even though we lost the game. “I was so glad to be back.”
The seven-time Pro Bowler came close to a flawless return. With 12 seconds left, Green seemed to catch a 3-yard touchdown pass from Burrow, which would have effectively sealed the victory. However, Green was called for offensive pass interference after pushing off Chargers defensive back Casey Hayward before the pass arrived.
Green said that he didn’t have much of a choice because the physical contact was mutual.
“He was clamping the whole time coming off the ball within 5 yards,” Green recalled in an interview. “If you’re going to call that, we can do it both ways. But they made the call. “We lost the game.”
Green has made a noticeable difference on the field since the Bengals drafted him in 2011. When he plays, the Bengals have a.594 winning percentage, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Cincinnati has won only seven games in Green’s 33 career absences.
His importance to the team was shown in Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
In addition to the near-touchdown on Cincinnati’s final drive, Green could have scored earlier in the game. In the third quarter, he slipped past the defense and was wide open in the end zone. However, Burrow’s pass from the Chargers’ 31-yard line went well over Green’s head, forcing the Bengals to settle for a field goal on that drive.
“I can’t miss that throw to A.J.,” Burrow remarked. “A high schooler can make that throw.”
Green dismissed the play during his postgame press conference and praised Burrow’s performance in the loss, particularly on the final drive, when Burrow went 8-of-11 for 70 yards and nearly pulled off the comeback win.
If Green can stay healthy, he will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with Burrow. Before Sunday, Green has missed 23 of the previous 24 games due to injuries. His last game with multiple catches was in Week 8 of the 2018 season, with Marvin Lewis as coach and Andy Dalton at quarterback.
Green was concerned about his game conditioning, which he admitted he battled with against the Chargers, as he prepared for his 2020 debut. But, overall, he stated his body and legs felt fine.
That’s a terrific indication for the Bengals, who need Green on the field as much as possible this season.
“It was fun to be back out there,” Green remarked. “It was an unbelievable feeling just being back with my teammates.”
