a pivotal year for quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals owner has no qualms about extending A.J. Green‘s deal.The receiver is in the final year of his deal, making $12 million in base salary and counting $15.2 million against the salary cap in 2019.“Oh

The Bengals’ 2019 playoff chances hinge largely on their roster health. This is particularly the case in their relying on players returning from I.R. last year." The Orange & Black InsiderBengals NewsAnalysisBengals relying on important players returning from I.R. in 2019New Deshaun Davis Jersey 2019 ,7commentsThe Bengals’ 2019 playoff chances hinge largely on their roster health. This is particularly the case in their relying on players returning from I.R. last year. EDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Bengals relying on important players returning from I.R. in 2019TwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmail“The Big ‘If.’” It’s essentially the credo of the 2019 Cincinnati Bengals. In lieu of going big in outside free agency and making splashy trade-ups in the early rounds of the draft, the Bengals have largely stuck to their M.O. of the past decade or so. In sticking to that strategy, they are confident in their belief that they have one of the strongest rosters in the NFL—if they remain healthy. While the team did end up being a house of cards last year, one can’t simply deny the 4-1 start to the season and subsequent slew of injuries to important players. If critical rookies and veteran Pro Bowlers remained far more healthy than what occurred in reality, the team may have been able to sniff a Wild Card berth. Stranger things have happened, right?Regardless of your belief in that sentiment, the team is sticking to their “if we’re healthy in 2019, look out” guns. And, one of the most critical areas of this strategy resides in the returns of many players coming off of Injured Reserve. On this week’s Orange and Black Insider, John Sheeran and I discussed the most important players returning from the NFL’s version of medical purgatory. Of course, we both agreed that, despite the polarizing opinions on Andy Dalton, getting a starting quarterback who has made both Pro Bowls and the postseason to return to the lineup is critical. However Color Rush Deshaun Davis Jersey , looking beyond him (especially in some of the players who help prop him up), there are massively-critical players set to come back to the lineup after suffering devastating injuries. Let’s review.Andy Dalton, quarterback: We just talked about it above, so we won’t belabor the point, but the guy has had success in the league. When he and others around him are healthy and playing at decent levels, good things happen for this team. A.J. Green, wide receiver: Some could argue that Green’s return is more important than Dalton’s because of his being such a security blanket for No. 14. Even though Tyler Boyd stepped up in a great way last year (and even a bit prior to Green leaving the lineup), the offense just isn’t the same without No. 18. Aside from Dalton, John’s pick for the most important I.R. returner was Green. It may be the most obvious choice, but also one that could be the most accurate. Tyler Eifert, tight end: It’s so difficult to use the term “rely upon” and the name Tyler Eifert in the same sentence. Though, as is the case with Green, the Bengals’ offense is far less effective without their big tight end in the lineup. Personally-speaking Ryan Glasgow Jersey , Eifert was my choice on the show outside of the quarterback. His presence in the red zone and much higher catch percentage with Dalton over that of Green’s (though in much fewer attempts) shows how much more comfortable Cincinnati’s quarterback is when No. 85 is working the middle of the field. Tyler Boyd, wide receiver: This one may be a bit of a stretch because the team had Boyd healthy for most of the year. Even so, he’ll be relied on heavily this year because of a combination of his upward career arc/youth, the uncertainty that follows Eifert and the question marks behind him in the position group. Carl Lawson, defensive end: Though he only notched one sack in seven games last year, Lawson constantly pressured quarterbacks and was oh-so-close on other opportunities. He’s aiming for a Week 1 return and with both Michael Johnson gone and Jordan Willis underwhelming in his own career, Lawson might be poised for a big role upon his return from a torn ACL. Ryan Glasgow, defensive lineman: This oft-forgotten lineman was a quiet key to what the defense was able to do in the first few weeks of the season. As a rotational guy, Glasgow was disruptive, notching 11 tackles in just three games. Geno Atkins is getting up there in age, so having a healthy spot guy would help the defense immensely. While Mike Brown is clear that this is a pivotal year for quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals owner has no qualms about extending A.J. Green‘s deal.The receiver is in the final year of his deal, making $12 million in base salary and counting $15.2 million against the salary cap in 2019.“Oh Cheap Deshaun Davis Jersey , I think he’s a proven commodity, isn’t he?” Brown said, via Fletcher Page of the . “The price range for him will be something for him will be something we can figure out, will come together. “It’s true with anyone, if they suddenly get an injury that it reduces them, well, that changes the equation. But I never plan on that happening. I like to think that won’t happen. If A.J. is healthy, he’s as good a receiver as anybody in the league.” Green, 30, played only nine games and failed to make the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career with a career-low 694 receiving yards in 2018. He finished the season on injured reserve with a toe injury.But Green has six 1,000-yard seasons in his eight seasons.