We knew earlier this week that running back Brian Leonard, listed as doubtful following Friday's practice, would likely miss Sunday's game against the Steelers with a rib injury that he suffered against the Cleveland Browns. That leaves BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman and Chris Pressley as the team's only running backs.
A somewhat surprising inactive is linebacker Dontay Moch, who missed practiced on Wednesday for the birth of his daughter, but returned Thursday and Friday.
Also out for the Bengals are cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Jason Allen, wide receiver Armon Binns, defensive tackle Brandon Thompson and tight end Richard Quinn.
Bengals running back Brian Leonard is listed as doubtful for Cincinnati's division game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday Night, according to the team's injury report.
Yes. It was expected.
Missing three practices this week with a rib injury suffered against the Cleveland Browns is a clear indication of Leonard's chances as Marvin Lewis rarely allows players to play after missing a full week of practice. Doubtful leaves a minimal chance, but it's extremely unlikely. Or dare I say, doubtful.
Cedric Peerman will backup BenJarvus Green-Ellis and if both backs are out for one reason or another, Marvin Lewis told reporters that fullback Chris Pressley could get the call.
Bengals running back Brian Leonard completes the trifecta, sitting out during Friday's practice with a rib injury that he suffered against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday.
It's his third practice. Marvin Lewis rarely (if ever) allows players to play during a week after missing every practice that week; though Leonard wasn't expected to play anyway.
The bigger question is if the Bengals decide to go with two running backs or three this weekend against the Steelers. If they go with three, then they'll be forced to make a move, removing someone from the 53-man roster.
After suffering a rib injury against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals running back Brian Leonard received good news on Monday after X-rays turned out negative, meaning he's unlikely to be out significantly, if at all.
You can label him an early questionable. Yet if he's unable to go this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he'll benefit with additional recovery during the bye week.
However this isn't a new injury; rather he reaggravated after initially suffering it during the preseason.
At some point during the second quarter while on special teams, Cincinnati Bengals running back Brian Leonard left the game with a rib injury. He didn't return.
Leonard is expected to have tests on Monday, including X-Rays, to determine the severity of the injury, according to Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer.
If Leonard is unable to go this Sunday against the Steelers, it leaves BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Cedric Peerman as the only available running backs on the roster; Bernard Scott was placed on IR last week. It's entirely possible that we could be seeing a host of free agent running backs this Tuesday; when teams normally invite players for positions they need to update.
Though we haven't noticed nor been notified either way, Bengals running back Brian Leonard is out of the game and standing on the sidelines in street clothes, according to Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham on the Bengals Radio Network (first I heard of it).
Dave Lapham said that while talking with teammates, he was pointing to his left hip. Eventually the Bengals announced that Brian Leonard is out with a rib injury.
That leaves BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Cedric Peerman as the team's lone running backs, not including fullback Chris Pressley.
