Chidobe Awuzie returns as Cincinnati Bengals set to open NFL training camp

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie impressed his teammates and his coaches all offseason with his quick recovery from a torn ACL. The Bengals officially cleared him to practice on the eve of training camp.

Awuzie didn’t want to put a timeline on his injury when he discussed it during the offseason, but the hope was always that Awuzie would be on the field for the first practice of the summer. With Awuzie now off the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, he’ll be able to be on the practice field on Wednesday for the beginning of training camp.

“I have full confidence in Chido’s ability to recover and be back out there,” Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. “If anybody can do it, it's him. He’s moving great in all the drills. I have full confidence.”

Awuzie was one of the best cornerbacks in football before tore his ACL on Halloween against the Browns. He guarded everyone from speedy wide receivers like Tyreek Hill to overpowering tight ends like Kyle Pitts.

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Awuzie’s size, elite athleticism and instincts gave Bengals defensive Lou Anarumo confidence in Awuzie for any matchup. With Awuzie back in 2023, he can become a critical backbone for a young secondary.

The Bengals will have two new safeties along with second-year cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the starting lineup. After the Bengals lost Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates in free agency, Anarumo expects Awuzie to step into an even more critical role.

“We got a great core of guys that have played,” Anarumo said. “All the front guys for the most part. Chido, Mike Hilton, a good core of guys that know exactly what it takes to get to the level that we want to get to. They can help bring these other guys along. I feel good about where we are at.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie returns for NFL training camp