Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. sustained a calf/knee injury Sunday during the NFL Week 7 win against the Cleveland Browns.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Brown is dealing with a condition called “tennis leg,” a common injury that occurs with tennis players.
#Bengals LT Orlando Brown Jr suffered a calf strain, sources say, more specifically a condition called, “Tennis leg” (commonly occurring in tennis players).
He’s having testing done to determine the severity, but coach Zac Taylor was optimistic post-game about his prospects.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he will be questionable to play in the Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 27. But Brown, along with safety Geno Stone (who also suffered a leg injury during the same game), told The Enquirer they didn’t think they suffered a long-term injury.
Here’s what to know about Brown’s injury.
What is tennis leg? More on Orlando Brown Jr.’s injury
Tennis leg is a common injury that involves a strain or rupture of the inside of the calf muscle. According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), it typically affects players 35–50 years old. The injury can happen “asa result of a sudden contraction of the calf muscles, for instance during a sprint.”
What are symptoms of tennis leg?
Those with tennis leg may experience sudden, sharp, or burning pain in the leg, and the pain can be severe. Often, the discomfort is intense enough for players to stop physical activities due to the intense pain.
When could Brown return to the Bengals? How long it takes to heal from tennis leg
Recovery time can take as little as a few days or as long as six weeks, depending on how severe the injury is, according to the International Tennis Federation.
The ITF says not to ignore the pain or cross the pain threshold, as this will slow down the healing process, but rather to build up improvement over time.
What’s next for Orlando Brown Jr.’s tennis leg injury?
Despite Brown’s “tennis leg” injury, things are looking optimistic as Brown appeared to have avoided any long-term injuries. The Bengals will closely monitor Brown this week as the team prepares for the Week 8 matchup against the Eagles.
If Brown can’t play this week, Cincinnati will turn to Cody Ford to start at left tackle, The Enquirer reports. During the Week 7 game, Ford replaced Brown when he was sidelined with the injury.
I just asked Orlando Brown if he’s going to be good, he gave a thumbs up and said he’s going to be alright.
So did Geno Stone, who said if it’s up to him, he won’t miss next week. Said he hurt his shin.
Positive injury news for the Bengals
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) October 20, 2024
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What is tennis leg? Details on Bengals’ LT Orlando Brown Jr. injury, timeline
