Report: Bengals place Green on IR

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed wide receiver A.J. Green on injured reserve, officially ending the wideout's season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Green has battled an ankle injury since training camp, missing all of his club's games in 2019. He's met with a foot specialist and there's optimism the 31-year-old will have normal offseason preparation ahead of next year, as previously reported by Bengals writer Geoff Hobson.

The seven-time Pro Bowler is in the final season of a four-year, $60-million contract signed in 2015. The Bengals reportedly plan to place the franchise tag on the pass-catcher.

Green's 2018 campaign was also shortened due to injuries; he played in nine games and finished the year on injured reserve. The fourth overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft has now missed at least six games in three of the past four seasons.

When on the field, Green has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL. He topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first five pro campaigns and has done so every season in which he's played at least 13 games.