The ultimate game of attrition can claims its victims at any time. For the Bengals, a newcomer to the defensive backfield finds himself already out for the year.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Bengals cornerback Shaun Prater, a fifth-round pick in 2012, has been lost for the season with a knee injury. Prater, who played college football at Iowa, will be placed on injured reserve.
First-round corner Dre Kirkpatrick already is missing time with a knee/leg injury.
To make matters worse, third-year corner Brandon Ghee has a broken wrist that will cause him to miss the preseason, per Rapoport.
Coach Marvin Lewis has said that Kirkpatrick is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener.