If the Bengals are to win at Indianapolis this week, their best chance to do so will be in the trenches. The Bengals' font seven will be going against a Colts offensive line that has been decimated due to injury since the Week 7 beatdown Cincinnati took in Indy.
After placing starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus on I.R. this week, the Colts may be down two more guys that have started multiple games this year. A.Q. Shipley is dealing with an ankle injury that's held him out of both practices this week, and Hugh Thornton has also missed both sessions with a shoulder injury.
Shipley has started at both guard and center this season, and he would likely start at one of the two guard spots if he were to play this week. Khaled Holmes has started at center in the previous two games.
As for Thornton, he's started eight games at guard this year, but hasn't done so since Week 12. He did play 19 snaps last week, and would be one of the first lineman off the bench in case of an injury this week.
If neither Thornton or Shipley play this week, it will leave an already thin offensive line even thinner against a Bengals defensive line that has guys capable of taking advantage.