Colbie Young took a clear step toward getting back on the field Thursday, and the Bengals could use the help.
After being limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury, Young was a full participant a day later and appears on track to return when Cincinnati needs bodies most. That’s especially important with questions still hanging over Ja’Marr Chase’s availability for Sunday against the Dolphins, even after Chase got in a limited practice Thursday.
Young said he felt better physically and explained that the injury looked and felt much worse in the moment than it did once the team checked it out. He also said he tried to get back into the game against the Steelers after the injury, but wide receivers coach Troy Walters kept him sidelined.
"Just being out there honestly, knowing I can physically move around and run around, knowing I definitely have a shot for Sunday," Young said at his locker. "When the play happened it definitely felt like it could have been something way worse, but after we got the X-rays and did our treatment and training, our trainers have done an amazing job to get me back out there as fast as possible.
"I told Troy 'I'm trying to go back in' and then he kinda held me out, and then we got re-evaluated and it just probably wasn't the best idea to go back in that game."
There was another encouraging sign after practice: Young stayed on the field to catch passes from Joe Burrow. He said that work matters for him, and he compared Burrow’s throws to a machine built for extra reps.
"He's a human JUGS machine, as much time as we can see the ball in the air from his arm it's always amazing to get work," Young said. "Everyone has a different arm angle, its not the same as the JUGS so seeing him throw it different ways, it's gonna be easier for the game."
If he’s ready to go Sunday, Young would give Cincinnati a much-needed option in a receiver room dealing with injuries to Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas.
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