Katherine Terrell, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Tyler Eifert has successful back surgery, will rehab in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert's stool has been up in his locker for several days, and several boxes have piled up. He hasn't been seen during open locker-room periods in several weeks.

Eifert, who just had back surgery and has been placed on IR, won’t be back this season. Whether Eifert, a pending free agent, comes back next season, is also unknown.

Eifert returned to Cincinnati on Tuesday after undergoing the surgery, which Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said “went well.” Lewis said Eifert will do his rehab in Cincinnati.

“You’re really disappointed for the player,” Lewis said. “We tried to stave this off as long as we could and tried to allow him the opportunity to come back and feel better and get right and confer with different people, and it just didn’t work out that way. ...

“He feels good. He was told that this was needed. It’s now his opportunity to ... get himself healthy, and he’s still young in his career, and have the opportunity to continue to blossom.”

Eifert has played in only 10 games in the last two seasons due to various injuries, but he was one of Andy Dalton’s favorite targets during the 2015 season. Eifert caught 13 touchdown passes that year en route to a Pro Bowl berth.

Dalton told the media he had spoken to Eifert and told him to do whatever he had to do to get healthy.

“It’s tough for him. I feel for him," Dalton said. "He’s had the injuries that have held him back a lot of games and a lot of chances to play. It’s tough, but I think the biggest thing to do is try to get his body feeling right.”

^ Back to Top ^