Former Michigan and Iowa tight end Erick All Jr. has had horrible injury luck the last few seasons.
All missed almost the entire 2022 season with the Wolverines due to a serious spine issue that required “life-changing” surgery. After transferring to Iowa in 2023, his season was cut short after seven games by a torn ACL. The Cincinnati Bengals took All in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Fairfield (Ohio) native showed promise before tearing his ACL again in November.
Unfortunately, All’s latest setback will cost him the entire 2025 season. Paul Dehner of The Athletic reported Tuesday that All needs two surgeries to fully repair the issues with his knee, including complications from the procedure he had done in college.
“The first surgery already occurred and a second is expected in the coming months to essentially start over the traditional ACL recovery timeline,” Dehner wrote . “This process should set All up for the long term of his career with expectations to hit the ground running in the 2026 season.”
In nine games with the Bengals in 2024, All caught 20 passes for 158 yards and also showed promise as a blocker.
“He did all the things he could do to help us win,” Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said. “Just a guy you love being around and appreciate.”
Obviously, the Bengals have high hopes that All can regain some of the form he showed at Michigan in 2021, when he hauled in 38 receptions for 437 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
All also logged 21 catches, 299 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games with Iowa in 2023.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati will have to shore up the tight end position this offseason. All is done for 2025, and Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson are set to hit free agency, leaving veteran backup Drew Sample, 2024 sixth-round pick Tanner McLachlan and undrafted rookie Cam Grandy as the only tight ends on the roster.
Related: NFL Draft Prospect Erick All ‘Would Love’ To Play For Jim Harbaugh, Chargers