CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 1, 2017: Defensive tackle Geno Atkins #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks onto the field prior to a game on October 1, 2017 against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cincinnati won 31-7. (Photo by: 2017 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

Report: Bengals' Atkins, Dunlap frustrated by lack of playing time

Diamond Images / Getty

Cincinnati Bengals veteran defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap are frustrated by their lack of playing time, according to Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Both players have seen their snaps reduced drastically this season and are confused by the team's new game plan.

Atkins, an eight-time Pro Bowler, has played just 37 defensive snaps in two games this season. Meanwhile, Dunlap hasn't started since Week 4.

Dunlap spoke publicly earlier this month of his dissatisfaction with the team's decision to make him a situational pass-rusher.

"I mean, you would think common decency would be something like that. I mean, it's not like I'm injured or anything. I'm not nursing anything. I've been blessed. Eleven years in the game. But I understand business, and evidently, this is the business they want to do," Dunlap said, according to ESPN's Ben Baby.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Atkins' playing time has been reduced to ease him back into the mix following his previous shoulder injury, according to Baby.

The Bengals drafted both Atkins and Dunlap in 2010, and the two have combined for 158 career sacks.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES