Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins is expected to play this weekend for the first time this season, coach Zac Taylor said Friday.
Atkins has been out with a shoulder injury he sustained during the preseason. The 32-year-old was a full participant in practice on Friday.
“I expect Geno to play on Sunday,” Taylor said. “He’s done a great job working himself back in at practices. We feel like this week he is ready to go.”
Atkins has been a stalwart for the Bengals since they selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. In 153 games (134 starts) with the franchise, he has recorded 75.5 sacks, 383 tackles, 171 quarterback hits and eight forced fumbles.
“Mentally, physically, he’s ready to go,” Taylor said.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Atkins was a first-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2015.
The Bengals (1-2-1) will meet the Ravens (3-1) in Baltimore on Sunday in an AFC North showdown.