Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki will be out for the foreseeable future after suffering a left pectoral injury during the team’s Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The tight end was injured in the first half of the 27-18 defeat. Coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Gesicki’s recovery process “is going to be a while.”
On October 15, the Bengals placed Gesicki on the Reserve/Injured list, meaning he will miss at least four games.
What Is Mike Gesicki’s Return Timeline?
Gesicki’s injury occurred early in the second quarter against the Packers when he attempted to block linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on a run play. After initial contact, Gesicki immediately clutched the left side of his chest and exited the field, later being evaluated in the medical tent before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The team confirmed it was a left pectoral injury, which could sideline him for multiple weeks or even months, depending on the severity.
By placing Gesicki on the injured reserve, the Bengals ensured he would miss a minimum of four games, per NFL rules. Given the Bengals’ schedule, this means the earliest he could return would be Week 12 (November 23), when the Bengals go up against the New England Patriots.
However, pectoral injuries often require long recovery durations, especially for players whose position demands frequent blocking and upper-body strength. In many cases, full recovery from a torn or strained pectoral muscle can take six to twelve weeks, or longer if surgery is required.
Prior to the injury, Gesicki had played in six games, recording eight receptions for 61 yards without a touchdown. His production had dipped as the Bengals’ offense had a hard time finding rhythm without quarterback Joe Burrow, who is out with a turf toe injury.
Last season, he had been one of the team’s cornerstone players, posting 65 catches for 665 yards and two touchdowns. His PFSN Impact Score is 65.6 with a D grade and ranks 67th among all tight ends this season.
In Gesicki’s absence, the Bengals are leaning heavily on Noah Fant and Drew Sample, with Cam Grandy also expected to be active on game days. Tight end Tanner Hudson, who caught a touchdown in the loss to Green Bay, was on the concussion protocol but was cleared in time for their Week 8 game, although he is behind Fant on the depth chart.
While Gesicki’s earliest possible return is Week 12, the Bengals are taking a cautious approach. If the recovery extends beyond the minimum IR window, Gesicki could realistically return closer to mid-December.