The Facts: Kroft was carted off the practice field Tuesday. HC Marvin Lewis did not provide an update on Kroft after practice. Kroft was holding his knee while talking with trainers before leaving the field.
Diehards Line:
With Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert likely out for the entire preseason, Kroft had been taking reps with the No. 1 offense and heading a thin tight end corps. Behind Kroft and Ryan Hewitt, an H-back/tight end combo who just signed a new deal, the Bengals have only rookies or first-year players at the position, so even if Kroft ends up escaping major injury the team will likely need to examine any available tight ends. A third-round pick in 2015, Kroft immediately earned a role as a backup tight end in his rookie season. He played in all 16 games and caught 11 passes for 129 yards, one for a touchdown.