Report: Bengals prepared to use franchise tag on Green

The Cincinnati Bengals plan to use the franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green unless they strike a deal with the pending free agent, a source told Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Green has missed the entire season with an ankle injury and told team writer Geoff Hobson on Tuesday that he doesn't expect to return for either of the final two games of the campaign.

While Green has expressed a desire to remain in Cincinnati, he and the Bengals are far apart in negotiations, Dragon added.

The 31-year-old has been with the Bengals since they drafted him fourth overall in 2011. The seven-time Pro Bowler has struggled to stay healthy in recent years but has been productive when on the field.

In the first eight seasons of his career, Green posted six 1,000-yard campaigns. He missed six-plus games in the two years he fell shy of the benchmark.

Green is in the final season of a four-year, $60-million contract.