Bengals' Kirkpatrick says he fractured hand in 'freak accident'

A fractured hand that's sidelined Dre Kirkpatrick for the start of OTAs doesn't appear to be a football-related injury.

The Cincinnati Bengals cornerback explained Tuesday that his surprise absence is the result of a "freak accident," according to Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Kirkpatrick's injury doesn't have a firm recovery timetable, but he said he expects to be back in a couple of weeks. The fracture comes less than three months after he landed a five-year, $52.5-million deal to re-sign with the club ahead of free agency.

Darqueze Dennard, another former first-round pick who had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this offseason, should get starting cornerback reps opposite Adam Jones for the time being.

Kirkpatrick is coming off a 2016 campaign in which he recorded three interceptions and 10 passes defensed while starting in 14-of-15 games.