Bengals Remain Hurt After Bye

By Adam Kiefaber

Last season, Bengal fans watched the police report closely. This season, fans are watching the injury report.

Cincinnati’s local media have echoed the idea that the bye week couldn’t come at a better time due to the many injuries on the Bengals’ roster. However, those injuries didn’t heal. Now, you can add offensive tackle Willie Anderson (left) to that group.

Anderson, who barely played in the Bengals’ last game, won’t start or play in Kansas City game. That will end his straight start streak at 116.

Linebacker Rashad Jeanty, safety Ethan Kilmer and wide receiver Tab Perry will not play either. Fans and media thought all three would’ve been recovered from their injuries by now. Jeanty’s injury hurts the most, as the Bengals remain thin at linebacker. One positive will be the return of Landon Johnson. However, Ahmad Brooks and Caleb Miller didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday. If Brooks and Miller can’t go, the Bengals will probably start Dhani Jones and Johnson on outside with Anthony Schlegel starting inside. That would leave the newly acquired Corey Mays as the only backup.

Mays should see the field on special teams against Kansas City. The most surprising thing to see from Mays would be his number, 51 jersey. Recent Bengals to wear the number include Takeo Spikes, then it was Kevin Hardy, to Odell Thurman, now it is Mays. The No. 51 jersey has been the most altered since Spikes left the team. Fans would change the name on the back repeatedly, it has yet to seen if Bengal fans will change their Thurman-into-Mays.

Besides Johnson, it appears Eric Ghiaciuc should finally return to his starting center spot. Even though some sources say that this could be a big upgrade to the running game, I’m not quite sure if Ghiaciuc is any better than Alex Stepanovich, who has been filling in Ghiaciuc’s absence.

Defensive end Jonathan Fanene and running back Rudi Johnson also didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday.

Stepanovich, DE Frostee Rucker and safety Dexter Jackson took in a limited practice session on Wednesday.

The Bengals’ website doesn’t include Kansas City’s injury report. However, it was announced that quarterback Damon Huard will start for the Chiefs. Rookie Brodie Croyle was rumored to get the start earlier in the week, but Huard’s shoulder injury proved to be less serious than originally thought.

Wide receiver Eddie Kennison and safety Greg Wesley didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday.