Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga started 13 games this year, missing three due to an ankle sprain suffered during an October 13 practice earlier this year. According to Bengals.com beat writer Geoff Hobson, Maualuga is "believed to be undergoing ankle surgery sometime soon." Maualuga posted a career-high in tackles and a team-leading three forced fumbles during his first year as the team's starting middle linebacker.

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A.J. Green. Some define him as one of the league's brightest future stars, both for his abilities and humble personality. Others have a more practical perspective. Green is the embodiment of a major leap in humanity's genetic evolution. What would Cincinnati's offense have done without him? Though speculative inquiries tend to turn even the most sane folk into raging lunatics, it would be pointless to compound that bottomless reservoir with more idle musings.

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The Bengals are in the playoffs facing the Houston Texans, who beat them by one measly point in Week 14. Luckily for Cincinnati, they are much healthier heading into their wildcard game in Houston than they were in Cincinnati a few short weeks ago. For one, Carlos Dunlap will be on the field today, which is huge considering the Bengals were able to sack T.J. Yates five times without him.

The players that won't be playing today don't include any heavy contributors. Safety Taylor Mays, linebacker Dontay Moch, safety Robert Sands, guard Otis Hudson, wide receiver Armon Binns and defensive tackle Nick Hayden are the only players that will be watching the game from the sidelines.

The Texans are healthier too. They played in Cincinnati without No. 1 receiver Andre Johnson. He will be on the field today in Houston and the Bengals secondary will need to be on him everywhere he goes. The Houston players that are inactive for today's playoffs game include quarterback Jeff Garcia, wide receiver Jeff Maehl, cornerback Brandon Harris, safety Troy Nolan, guard Thomas Austin, offensive tackle Andrew Gardner and tight end Garrett Graham.

The roof of the Texans stadium will be closed today so it's sure to be loud. Hopefully the Bengals fans that were able to make the trip represent us well. I'm sure they will.

On Wednesday it was reported that Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton sat out of the Bengals practice due to what Joe Reedy called an intestinal virus. According to Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson, Dalton says he will be back at practice today and that he's feeling fine.

This is obviously very good news. I don't think anybody expected this illness to sideline Dalton for very long but it's nerve-racking to see any team's quarterback on the injury report heading into the playoffs. The Bengals have a chance to win their first playoff game in two decades on Saturday afternoon on Houston against the Texans and Dalton is the biggest piece of the puzzle. Hopefully missing that one day of practice has little to no effect on Dalton's ability to prepare for the biggest game of his career to this point.

Stay tuned tonight for both the Bengals' and the Texans' full Thursday practice reports.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is sitting out of Wednesday's practice according to Bengals.com beat writer Geoff Hobson and the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy. The reason? He's using a sick day:

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The Bengals are relatively healthy as they head into their Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens. This is good news considering they control their own destiny and a win gives them a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. It's all or nothing for the game today and their health heading into the game will only help them get the job done.

For the Bengals, safeties Taylor Mays and Robert Sands are out along with linebacker Dontay Moch, guard Otis Hudson, tight end Colin Cochart, wide receiver Armon Binns and defensive tackle Nick Hayden. All other players are active for today's game.

For the Ravens, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who was ruled out earlier in the week but came back to practice on Friday is ruled out and will not be playing. He will be joined by kicker Shayne Graham, running back Anthony Allen, cornerback Danny Gorrer, offensive tackle D.J. Jones, linebacker Sergio Kindle and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

Hopefully the health of the Bengals transfers to a win and a spot in the 2011 playoffs when the final seconds tick off the clock in the fourth quarter today. It definitely won't hurt their chances.

Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who returned to practice on Friday after sitting out on Thursday, is listed as questionable with his hamstring. Safety and special teams player Taylor Mays is doubtful after missing every practice this week with a hamstring, along with Dontay Moch, who we assume is still dealing with migraines. The rest of the team is listed as probable, including A.J. Green who fully participated on Friday.

As for the Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver Anquan Boldin was upgraded to doubtful after limited participation on Friday. Baltimore's Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda suited up for Friday's practice with limited participation, but listed as doubtful.

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Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda has had a great season this year, named to the 2012 Pro Bowl earlier this week. Pro Football Focus grades Yanda as Baltimore's best offensive lineman, especially as a pass blocker where his 15.2 grade ranks second-best amongst all NFL guards this season. Only Evan Mathis (31.2) graded higher overall than Yanda (28.6) this season (Nate Livings grades out at -12.2). After suffering rib and thigh contusions last week against the Browns, the Baltimore's starting right guard has missed consecutive practices this week.

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