Sunday 4 January 2015 13:35, UK
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green has been ruled out of Sunday’s NFL playoff wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts after failing to recover from a concussion.
The four-time Pro Bowler sustained the injury after catching a first-down pass in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Just after the reception, the 26-year-old was stripped of the ball before getting hit in the head by Steelers safety Mike Mitchell.
Green’s absence will place huge pressure on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who is already without receiver Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert.
No 2 receiver Mohamed Sanu, who was targeted just nine times last month, will be elevated to the top role while Brandon Tate will move up to second despite just 17 catches for 198 yards this season.
Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is likely to lean on rookie running back Jeremy Hill - the NFL’s leading rusher since the ninth week of the season - as he looks to keep pace with Andrew Luck and the Colts' explosive passing attack.
The Bengals faced the Colts without Green on October 19 and were demolished 27-0 as Indianapolis stacked the box and dared the Bengals to beat them one-on-one in the pass game.
You can watch this Sunday's Wildcard Weekend clash between Indianapolis and Cincinnati on Sky Sports 2 HD, starting at 5.30pm.
