Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) celebrates a touchdown catch catches pass in the first quarter during an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Cincinnati Bengals At Buffalo Bills Afc Divisional Jan 22 0581

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without two of their offensive linemen on Sunday when they try to return to the Super Bowl for the second-straight season against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. However, they will have the services of starting tight end Hayden Hurst despite a nagging calf injury.

Despite the fact that Hurst was added to the team’s injury report on Thursday, he told reporters on Friday that there were no concerns about whether or not he’ll suit up on Sunday.

Bengals TE Hayden Hurst says he’ll be good to go on Sunday against KC,” said ESPN Bengals insider Ben Baby. “Wore a compression sleeve on his left calf during today’s practice to keep it warm. Indicated it was going to take a [lot to] keep him out of the AFC title game.”

Hurst will want to make this game count as he wasn’t with the Bengals last season during their magical playoff run. The tight end signed with Cincy in the offseason following two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and two years with the Baltimore Ravens before that. He’s also probably looking forward to getting some payback on Kansas City safety Justin Reid, who made some controversial comments about him before their December matchup.

Hayden had 10 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown through the playoffs so far. He garnered 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season.

[Ben Baby]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.