CINCINNATI -- It started as just another run-of-the-mill catch.

Late in the first quarter of last week's game at Baltimore, Tyler Eifert, the Cincinnati Bengals' second-year tight end was adding a third reception to his season total when he turned toward the end zone, trying to elude defenders.

When he did, he awkwardly contorted his body as he slipped in and out of Ravens tackle attempts. As he stretched for more yards, Eifert subconsciously extended his right arm to brace his fall. That's when he heard the pop.

Immediately he clutched his elbow in agony, screaming as teammates furiously waved members of the training staff onto the field.

"I could feel that it wasn't right," Eifert said.

Cameras caught exactly what trainers saw when they reached the injured player. He had dislocated his elbow and needed it set back in place. Once it was, Eifert's pain calmed considerably, giving him a measure of relief.

As he made his first comments since last Sunday's injury on Friday, Eifert told reporters that to his knowledge he didn't suffer any other structural damage around his elbow, and that he and doctors continue to believe that he'll be fully healed by Nov. 6, when the Bengals host the Browns in a Thursday night showdown.

"That's what they say. I'm not a doctor," Eifert said. "I know it hurts right now, but I'm sure it'll get better and I'll be ready to go."

Like it has been since the injury happened, Eifert's arm was wrapped in a bandage and placed in a sling Friday. He said the arm has mostly been immobilized this week, and added that he has tried to extend it at times as he begins his rehab.

Placed Wednesday on short-term injured reserve, Eifert won't be allowed to practice until six weeks after the injury -- in other words, Week 7. Per rules of the IR with a designation to return, he also isn't allowed to play until Week 10.

Eifert said the injury occurred when he was trying to brace himself on the turf as he stretched for more yards on his 14-yard reception. He was told that had he landed with his arm straighter, he would have probably come out of the play injury-free. Instead, he landed with his arm open at a particular angle. It appears that's what caused the dislocation.

Cincinnati was expected to make Eifert a bigger part of its offense this season. His three catches for 37 yards through barely a quarter of play last week was a strong indication of that.

"With some of those plays, just the design of them puts the defense in a bind," Eifert said of how open he was getting. "You know how to cover it. It's just defense dictates where the ball's going. I happened to get the ball early. So it was good."

This injury also comes after Eifert battled shoulder issues all offseason and training camp. They became so bad in the preseason that he missed numerous practices and didn't play in the final three preseason games.

"Every time I feel like I'm getting back into it, something happens," Eifert said. "It is what it is. It happened. It's hard to make the most of an injury, but it's the situation I'm in right now. So just be positive and keep going."