Bengals WR Green (ankle) unlikely to play Sunday

Wide receiver A.J. Green said Thursday that swelling in his left ankle likely will prevent him from making his season debut for the winless Cincinnati Bengals. "Probably not," he told reporters when asked if he would play.

"I can't go out there when I'm not 100 percent. It makes no sense for me to put myself in that situation to where I can have another time hurting (it). ..." Green said, per The Athletic. "It's all about make sure I'm taking care of myself first. Everything else comes after that." Coach Zac Taylor had been optimistic that Green would play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens (6-2), but after the wideout experienced discomfort during a walkthrough on Wednesday, he sought treatment.

Thursday morning, he reported the swelling. Limited to nine games last season with a toe injury, Green suffered torn ligaments in his ankle on the first day of training camp and had "minor" surgery.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection hasn't played since Dec. 2, 2018, but the veteran's return would have been a boost for rookie quarterback Ryan Finley, who will make his first NFL start in place of Andy Dalton. Green, 31, has 602 receptions for 8,907 yards and 63 touchdowns in 111 games since the Bengals selected him fourth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He needs four touchdown catches to break the team record held by Chad Johnson.

Green, the subject of trade rumors last month, is playing in the final season a four-year, $60 million extension signed in 2015. 

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