Bobbie

Williams

“Coach is going to get an update,” said Williams, who left the stadium on crutches and in a walking boot. Williams is arguably the Bengals’ best run blocker, so this would a blow to the team’s rushing offense. Mike McGlynn, a journeyman and former Philadelphia Eagle, replaced Williams against the Texans Sunday.

A broken ankle wouldn’t typically be a long-term concern, but it’s far from ideal for a player who will be 36 in 2012. Still an above-average run blocker, Williams’ loss is bad news for Cedric Benson, especially since Williams will be replaced in the starting lineup by journeyman Mike McGlynn. Before serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy against performance enhancing substances to begin the season, Williams hadn’t missed a start since 2006. A free agent at season’s end, it’s possible his long tenure in Cincinnati is at an end.

Williams was able to angrily limp off the field after his injury caused a television timeout. Mike McGlynn has come on to replace him, giving Cincinnati backups at both spots on the right side of the O-Line.

The 35-year-old longtime Bengal was coming off ankle surgery. The Ravens are clearly satisfied with his health. Williams started nine games for Cincinnati last season, grading out positively as both a run blocker and pass protector, according to Pro Football Focus. Though Baltimore’s question mark position is left guard, Williams has been primarily a right guard in his career. He could still end up pushing rookie Kelechi Osemele for the LG starting job.

Osemele is expected to be healthy for training camp, but he’s missed valuable reps during offensive install. His injury helps explain the signing of veteran Bobbie Williams, who received an $800,000 signing bonus and first-team reps in Tuesday’s practice.

The biggest question with Williams is health. If his ankle can hold up at age 35, he’s a good bet to hold off rookie Kelechi Osemele and second-year man Jah Reid. Williams wasn’t a liability in nine starts for the Bengals last season.

Reliable beat writer Aaron Wilson says “it will be a surprise” if Williams doesn’t claim the job, ahead of Kelechi Osemele and Jah Reid. Williams is going on 36, but he fits the Ravens’ scheme as a mauling run blocker and was still playing at a high level in 2011. Baltimore’s offensive line looks underrated, to us.

Williams went through drills at Paul Brown Stadium Monday under the direction of the Bengals medical staff, but there’s no indication that he will be re-signed. Soon to be 36 years old, Williams has no plans to retire this summer.

When asked if he’ll start, Osemele replied, “I think so. It looks like it.” The second-round pick had been working at left guard and right tackle throughout camp. Michael Oher will man the blindside, Bobbie Williams will play left guard, and Bryant McKinnie will work off of the bench.

The Ravens wanted Williams to start from the get-go after they signed him in early June, but he experienced knee swelling and was limited to special teams in the first five games. On Sunday against the Cowboys, Williams will replace Ramon Harewood between left tackle Michael Oher and center Matt Birk.