Report: Except for Andre Smith, everyone should be available for the Baltimore Ravens

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 6, 2009 9:55 AM EDT in Injury

When Tank Johnson and Roy Williams didn't play against the Cleveland Browns, somehow the defense didn't feel as strong as it had throughout the season. The Browns for their credit, played great. But the Bengals were without some of their biggest bullets. Andre Caldwell suffered the most noticeable injury when he hurt his shoulder on a kickoff return. He said it's a bit banged up in a tweet after the game, but "he should be OK for Sunday."

Also Rashad Jeanty dislocated his finger against the Browns.

Lewis said the club would know more on Jeanty's status on Wednesday. Jeanty, winner of the Bengals Ed Block Courage Award last year, is playing with a 15-inch rod in his leg from a 2007 broken leg and played in every game last year despite painful plantar fascitis on the bottom of his foot.

"I don't think a broken finger is going to keep me out," he said.

Lewis did say that everyone except Andre Smith "should be available for next Sunday's AFC North showdown in Baltimore against the Ravens."

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I guess this was the strategy?

To rest the starters for this upcoming game. I did notice the 2nd stringers in a lot against Cleveland. Hopefully ML is right, everybody is healthy for the Ravens. Well I guess they know a little about football than I gave credit for. To pull out a win with some of our 2nd stringers playing.

by WHYUS!! on Oct 6, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Any idea when Smith will be healthy and in "football shape" ready for action?

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 6, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

The popular belief is that he’ll be back after the bye week. I’d guess (and that’s all I’m doing) is something closer to December.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 6, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

With Smith out, I think the right side of our D-Line is going to have a field day. This game may have come at a terrible time for you guys, considering the kick in the ass we got after NE.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

It'll be interesting

We’ve done a good job against some pretty good pass rushes this year.

And if Gaither is out, your OL could be in for a very long day as well.

I’m really looking forward to this game. But Ed reed scares me.

by brandone on Oct 6, 2009 1:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Gaither is doing better than worse right now. Not sure if he will play, but he won’t be out long. But our first round pick, Michael Oher just dominated on the left side after Gaither went down on Sunday. So I am not too worried about the left side. Our right side you may be able to attack though, cause Oher will have to shift from RT to LT.

Reed has not been himself this year, but it’s still early.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

You may be right...

But remember that Smith was never in training camp and only practiced with the team for a few days. It’s kind of doubtful he’d be an upgrade over Collins at RT even if he were healthy and had been practicing since being signed. He was in terrible shape.

Also, didn’t Baltimore have an OL carted off the field Sunday? You saw in the Green Bay game what can happen when you have a backup OL against this Bengals DL.

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 6, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

But GB has a weeeeeaaaaaak O-Line. Not the greatest at all. 4 starters and a back-up on our O-Line is still top 10 in the league.

Should be a great match-up though. You guys have a young, fast and hard hitting defense. It fits well with the AFC North. Underrated secondary IMO.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

A backup offensive linemen would worry the hell out of me, but we have no depth at OL. Of course, I say that and believe that but Evan Mathis came in for Nate Livings and has been an excellent backup. Maybe the backup for the Ravens will come in and play great- I don’t know. I would be a little worried even if the Bengals had their best line in recent memory in ’05. It only takes one guy to give you penalties, give up sacks, etc.

That being said, I’m looking forward to this AFC-North battle. There is a lot on the line. If the Bengals win, they go 3-0 in the AFC-N and take lead in the division at 4-1. If the Ravens win, they go 2-0 in the AFC-N and take a lead in the division at 4-1. The Ravens defense looks nasty as usual and Flacco is showing that he’s for real. I’m predicting a close game but the Ravens will pullout with the win.

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 6, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions