Bengals LB Burfict unlikely to play Sunday game against Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict isn't expected to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers because he sustained a concussion Sunday, the seventh of his career and second in December. This head injury, however, is bringing concern that Burfict's career could be on the line, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing colleague Katherine Terrell. Terrell noted in a tweet that Burfict, often injured in his seven-year NFL career, could have more endured more concussions than have been documented.

"Those are only the seven we know about as well. I wonder how many players have concussions that don't end up in protocol," she said. Injuries and suspensions have cut deeply into Burfict's NFL career. He has missed 10 games because of league suspensions, and he has been fined more than $4.2 million for on-field plays and suspensions. After playing in all 16 games in 2012 and 2013, his first seasons in the league, he has played in 11 games once, 10 games twice and five games once.

He has played in seven games this season. In 2013, a Pro Bowl season, Burfict made a league-leading 177 tackles. Since that season, his highest total has been 101 in 2016, when he played in 11 games. Burfict is listed in NFL protocol this week and did not practice Wednesday, casting doubt that he would play on Sunday against the Steelers. He got hurt in the first half last week against the Cleveland Browns. He also suffered a concussion on Dec. 2 against the Denver Broncos. The Bengals are 6-9 and facing a Steelers team that likely needs a win Sunday and a Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Browns to make the postseason.