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          Bengals top CB Chidobe Awuzie leaves loss with knee injury

          • Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterNov 1, 2022, 01:53 AM
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              Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN's NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
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          CLEVELAND -- Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie exited Monday night's 32-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns with a right knee injury.

          Awuzie had a black, protective cast on his right leg and was using crutches after the game.

          "I don't think it's great, but we don't have final confirmation on it yet," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.

          Awuzie went down in the second quarter of the AFC North game at FirstEnergy Stadium after defending a pass intended for Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper.

          When he made it to Cincinnati's sideline, Awuzie clutched his right knee before he went into the team's injury tent.

          While trainers looked at Awuzie, several members of Cincinnati's secondary entered the tent to check on Awuzie, including starting safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III.

          Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo also made a brief visit before Awuzie was taken into the locker room on a medical cart before the end of the half.

          Since signing with the Bengals during the 2021 free agency, Awuzie has emerged as Cincinnati's top cornerback. He has made 21 starts, including all seven games this season.