Tyler Eifert leaves with elbow injury

BALTIMORE -- Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens late in the first quarter with an elbow injury.

His return was immediately listed as doubtful.

As the Bengals were driving on their final drive of the opening quarter, quarterback Andy Dalton delivered a 20-yard pass to Eifert, who spun around as he avoided a tackler before leaving his feet. When Eifert awkwardly landed, he immediately grabbed his right arm and could be seen screaming in pain as teammates waved the trainers onto the field.

Eifert was only down for about two minutes before trainers and teammates helped him to his feet. Fellow tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Alex Smith were among those who tapped Eifert on the helmet as he walked off the field holding his right arm close to his body. He was immediately rushed into the locker room for observation.

Eifert had three catches for 37 yards before leaving the game.

The injury came on the same play the Bengals finally threw a tight end seam pass, a play they had incorporated often in open training-camp practices, but one they shied from discussing much about. It also was the longest reception Eifert had.

He was replaced by a combination of Gresham and Smith. Eifert and Gresham had opened the game in a two-tight end formation.

This latest injury comes on the heels of a frustrating preseason for Eifert, who had a nagging shoulder injury that kept him out of organized team activities and minicamp.