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Cincinnati Bengals rookie Connor Lew continues recovery from ACL surgery

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 2:16 PM

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Football

Summary

Cincinnati Bengals rookie center Connor Lew is making progress in his return from ACL surgery, which he underwent in October 2025. After being held out of the team's preseason opener, Lew participated in practice and has started to take reps with the starters. The Bengals are managing his return carefully as they prepare for joint practices against the Chicago Bears this week and a subsequent preseason game. Lew is expected to back up veteran center Ted Karras, who is in the final year of his contract. Lew was a fourth-round draft pick from Auburn, previously seen as a potential first- or second-round talent before his injury.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Connor Lew recovering from October 2025 ACL surgery
•Participated in individual and 11-on-11 drills recently
•Bengals held him out of preseason opener
•Joint practices with the Bears scheduled this week
•Ted Karras is in his final year of contract

Latest Updates

2:16 PMYahoo Sports — Cincinnati Bengals: Rookie center Connor Lew progressing in return from ACL surgery

What they're saying

"
Rookie center Connor Lew has to wait a little longer for his unofficial NFL debut after the Cincinnati Bengals held him out of their preseason opener last week, but so far, his return from 2025 ACL surgery is going about as planned. The fourth-round draft pick out of Auburn tore his ACL last October, ending his season after seven games. He was hopeful after the draft that he would be 100 ...
— Yahoo Sports

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