When the Bengals walk on to the field at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time in the 2011 season to face the San Francisco 49ers, they'll do so with (and without... kind of) wide receiver Jerome Simpson. Simpson, who is the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons, is under investigation after a package containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana was tracked to his house where six more pounds were discovered. According to Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson, Simpson will be active for the game, but he will not be starting as the team's No. 2 receiver. The starting job will go to Andre Caldwell.
When it comes to players that are inactive for the Bengals, according to Hobson tight end Colin Cochart, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, defensive end Robert Geathers, linebacker Donte Moch, offensive lineman Otis Hudson and safeties Robert Sands and Taylor Mays will not be playing against the Niners.
On the other sidelines, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, quarterback Scott Tolzien, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, fullback Moran Norris, guard Daniel Kilgore, guard Mike Person, defensive tackle Ian Williams and defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs will not be on the field to face the Bengals.