Things aren’t getting any easier for the Cincinnati Bengals this season. For a team that ranks low in their offensive line and defense, neither of those problems are getting any better prior to the regular season.
Joe Burrow will be fighting for his life with the latest injury dealt to Cincinnati’s O-Line. With eyes on a potential replacement, the Bengals front office needs to act quickly with Week 1 vastly approaching.
Bengals Guard Cordell Volson Requires Season Ending Shoulder Surgery
Cordell Volson may not be a household name, but the 27-year-old has started 48 games over the past three seasons. He has been in Cincinnati since the team drafted him No. 136 overall in 2022.
ESPN’s Ben Baby reported the injury, one that will cost the Bengals only $2.6 million. The backup right guard has seen all 48 of his appearances come at the left guard position. Surgery will repair an injury to his right shoulder. The injury occurred at practice on August 15.
#Bengals G Cordell Volson, who has started 48 games over the last three years, will likely miss the entire 2025 NFL season with a shoulder injury that requires surgery. pic.twitter.com/rSsNRwP2ka
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 20, 2025
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Volson allowed six of Burrow’s 48 sacks last season, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF draws attention to the eight penalties against him last season which ranks Volson 121 out of 136. His 984 offensive snaps were good for a No. 36 ranking.
The only above average grade the North Dakota State graduate received was in the run blocking category. Volson ranked 53rd with his 65.6 run blocking grade. Neither of the other two categories had him in the green.
A 59.1 overall grade was good for No. 79. Volson’s 48.8 pass blocking grade put him No. 97, a number less than stellar knowing how much Cincinnati likes to throw the ball. These numbers came as a surprise as Volson ranked in the top 34 in all three categories during his 2024 preseason play.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor Discusses Volson’s Injury
“That’s a tough one for him,” Taylor said. “He’s been a guy that’s really worked hard for us. I wouldn’t say it’s set in stone until he has the surgery, but that’s the direction it seems to be heading.”
Ultimately, surgery is going to be the move. This creates a new sense of urgency in the organization to add further protection for their $275M QB. A promising visit with Dalton Risner seems to be the direction Cincinnati is heading.
In 537 snaps played last season, Risner didn’t draw a single penalty or allow a sack. Two of his three numbers are above average, with him being the opposite of Volson. The former Minnesota Vikings’ poorest grade is in the run blocking category. His 57.4 grade puts him at No. 96.
The Bengals are more than thrilled as he was ranked No. 13 in pass blocking last season. his 76.2 grade was among the highest in the league, nearly cracking him in the Top 10 out of 136 guards. With an overall grade of 67, Risner placed as the No. 42 guard in the league.
ESPN’s Bengals depth chart lists RG Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford as questionable. Patrick is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury as he enters his 9th season in the league. Ford was a 2nd round pick in 2019 who is also dealing with an undisclosed injury.
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