Bengals WR Henry out for season with broken arm

By foxsports
Published

Bengals receiver Chris Henry will miss the rest of the season after having surgery Monday on his broken left forearm.


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The Bengals put Henry on injured reserve and brought back offensive guard Scott Kooistra, who was released a week ago. The Bengals needed another offensive lineman after left guard Evan Mathis injured his an ankle Sunday during a 17-7 win over Baltimore.

Henry is in the final year of his contract with the Bengals, who let him go after his fifth arrest following the 2007 season. Owner Mike Brown changed his mind and brought him back a few months later, signing him to a two-year deal.

Henry has stayed out of trouble since his return and has been used primarily on passing downs. He was fourth among Bengals receivers this season with 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

He was hurt on his only catch Sunday, landing on his back while cornerback Fabian Washington made the tackle and came down on his arm. Henry said after the game that he could tell the arm was broken when he looked at it.

Henry has been bothered by a thigh injury that improved during the bye week leading up to the Baltimore game.

"He was excited to play yesterday," coach Marvin Lewis said. "I don't know that I've ever seen him that excited to play, and it's unfortunate he got hurt. You could tell he felt good after the time off and getting his legs back and under him."

The victory kept Cincinnati (6-2) in first place in the AFC North, headed for a showdown next Sunday in Pittsburgh against the defending champions. The Bengals could replace Henry by elevating receiver Maurice Purify from the practice squad, which would involve another roster move.

Purify, signed last year as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska, spent most of last season on the practice squad. He has played well on special teams, which gives him an advantage.

Jerome Simpson, a second-round draft pick last year, has been inactive for all eight games this season, still struggling to make the jump from Coastal Carolina to the NFL. Simpson played in only six games last season and caught one pass for two yards.

"We could move Maurice up," Lewis said. "We'll look at the best options because with that, it's a matter of who can I get the most snaps out of on Sunday. That's the important part."

Mathis hurt his left ankle during the first quarter on Sunday. Linebacker Keith Rivers hurt his right calf and was on crutches after the game. Lewis said on Monday that neither injury appears to be severe.