National Football League

Bengals linebacker Maualuga hurts hamstring

Published Jan. 4, 2015 2:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga hurt a hamstring early in the second quarter of a playoff game against the Colts on Sunday and didn't return.

Maualuga left the field on a cart for an evaluation. His injury left the Bengals without their top two linebackers - Vontaze Burfict missed most of the season with injuries. Maualuga missed four games early in the season with an injured left hamstring, and the defense stabilized once he returned.

A trainer looked at Maualuga's right leg on the sideline before a cart was brought to the bench to take him to the locker room.

The Bengals also lost cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick to an injured right ankle early in the third quarter. Kirkpatrick, who plays on special teams and is an extra cornerback, got hurt while covering Cincinnati's punt and limped off the field.

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