Keith

Rivers

The Enquirer recently referred to Rivers’ wrist issue, which held him out for all of 2011, as degenerative. If Rivers’ wrist is indeed on the mend and in no danger of getting worse, he could draw trade interest this offseason, though it would figure to be minimal since he’s due $2.16 million.

Fewell did say he anticipates “competition” at MIKE, naming Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones, and Keith Rivers as Blackburn’s competitors. Blackburn is more of a fill-in, replacement-level middle linebacker, though he is an adequate run stuffer. It sounds like Michael Boley is staying on the weak side for now.

Rivers had wrist surgery near the end of the 2011 lockout. At that time, it was expected that he’d open the season on PUP, meaning he still could collect his paycheck. Instead, the Bengals placed him on the non-football injury list because they felt Rivers should’ve had the surgery earlier in the offseason. Rivers filed a grievance, which inevitably led to hard feelings. Rivers was traded to the Giants for a fifth-round pick in April.

It’s the last pick in the fifth round, so it’s as close as you can possibly get to the sixth. Rivers developed a bit of a “soft” reputation as the former No. 9 overall pick in the draft with Cincinnati, but he was not averse to playing through injuries and is a quality run defender when healthy. Look for Michael Boley to start at middle linebacker for the Giants. Rivers should handle the weak-side duties, with Mathias Kiwanuka staying on the strong side.

Giants beat writer Mike Garafolo advised Twitter followers to “sit tight” while Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy confirms the “wheels are turning.” Rotoworld’s Evan Silva had been predicting a Rivers trade entering the final year of his rookie contract, but the 2008 first-rounder is no lock to pass a physical after missing all of last season due to wrist surgery. GM Jerry Reese recently hinted that Michael Boley could be moved to middle linebacker, leaving a vacancy on the weak side.

NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora backs up the report. Rivers is no longer in the Bengals’ plans after missing time due to plantar fasciitis, a broken jaw, ankle surgery, a severe calf strain, and last year’s wrist surgery over the past four seasons. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Rivers will likely cost the Giants a draft pick no higher than the fifth round. He’s worth the dice roll at that price.

Rivers never did play in 2011 after undergoing offseason wrist surgery. A “degenerative” condition means it may not get better, and could potentially even get worse. We’d previously speculated Rivers might be on the trade block entering the last year of his rookie deal, but he might not be able to pass physicals. The former first-round pick has an uncertain football future.

Rivers also had the final year of his rookie deal (2013) voided. It’s a nearly $1 million cut from his originally scheduled $2.16 million, and a sign he might not be locked into a starting job after missing all of 2011 with a wrist injury. With WLB Michael Boley tentatively expected to shift to the middle, however, Rivers remains the favorite to start on the weak-side.

The Bengals now have three weeks to add Rivers to the active roster or shut him down for the season. Thomas Howard has played well in Rivers’ absence, but he should be a major contributor down the stretch as long as he’s healthy.

The Bengals will have three weeks to decide whether to activate Rivers onto their 53-man roster. With Thomas Howard filling in on the weak side, the Bengals have the No. 4 scoring defense in football.