A.J. Green injury absence to carry into at least mid-October

Editor’s update 5:04 p.m.: It looks like we’ll hear a more formal medical update later this week on A.J. Green’s ankle. Below is some video of him doing pregame drills on Monday, courtesy of NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.

The Cincinnati Bengals will not have A.J. Green available on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it might be several more weeks before he returns to action. Green injured his ankle in late July at the start of training camp, and is expected to miss at least the next two weeks against Arizona and Baltimore, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Green told the media earlier this month that the six-to-eight week timeline suggested in the media was inaccurate. He effectively said he’ll be ready when he is ready and wants to make sure he is back at 100 percent.

Fantasy analysis: The Bengals continue searching for their first win, but from a fantasy standpoint, Green’s absence has been a gain for John Ross and Tyler Boyd. Ross has emerged as a playmaker who is a solid standard league start, while Boyd has been a favorite target of Andy Dalton and worth a regular start in PPR leagues. Last week saw Auden Tate unexpectedly claim the mantle from both of them, but we’ll need to wait and see if he shows more against the Steelers before determining his value.

Green owners should continue holding onto him as he will be back at some point. If you are in playoff contention when that happens, he will be a huge addition to your roster. Of course, if the Bengals continue to fall apart, he may decide to call it a year and head into free agency. But you can’t get rid of him quite yet.