Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening, we'll (TRY TO) update the practice/injury chart leading up to Sunday's game. The chart is pretty self-explanatory. If the player is listed as out, they're out for the game. If they did not participate, they didn't practice. If they were limited, then they only participated during a portion of practice (typically means missing 11-on-11 drills). If the player is listed as full participation, it simply means that they practiced fully and that the only reason they're listed is because injury was an issue the week before.

Practice

Oakland's practice hadn't ended by the time the injury report was released.

by Ed Reinke - AP

12 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry (15) grimaces after injuring his left forearm in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

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Remember last year? I know, I know. Why bring up terrible memories of a team that started the season on an eight-game losing streak. Why bring up terrible memories of a team that actually finished a game in a tie causing the entire NFL world to shouting, asking why ties in the NFL? I remember when the active report came in during the fourth week of the season against Cleveland, seeing that Carson Palmer was inactive. It took weeks for me to fully comprehend the implications of Palmer's injury. I was in denial.

This week gave us a few reminders of how much better this team is, in terms of talent and pure luck, which is (if people want to admit it or not) critical to team's successes in a season.

The Bengals placed two players on Injured Reserve this week with arm injuries; wide receiver Chris Henry and safety Roy Williams. This brings the total to eight players on injured reserve since the start of training camp.

On November 28, 2008, the Bengals had just put Andrew Whitworth and Scott Kooistra on injured reserved, the 20th players lost for the season due to injury. In fact, I mused at the time that the Bengals could nearly fill out a starting lineup with players on Injured Reserve.

Oh, what a difference a year makes.

While the Bengals can't come close to filling out a starting roster, the biggest difference this year is that the team's depth is strong enough to replace those injured players -- except for maybe Tight End -- and lose limited production. Chinedum Ndukwe, the guy replacing Williams in the starting lineup, has 17 career starts. In the first game he started this season against Cleveland, Ndukwe recorded seven tackles and a quarterback sack. Against Houston, Ndukwe recorded a season-high 11 tackles. Along with Brandon Johnson, Ndukwe recorded a quarterback sack deep in the fourth quarter against Baltimore. NFL.com ranks Ndukwe fifth on the team with 35 total tackles.

Chris Henry is a loss in terms of taking advantage of match-up problems. However, through eight games, Henry only caught 12 passes -- then again, he averaged a team high 19.7 yards-per-reception. Based on the talent and depth chart ahead of him, Henry's loss, in terms of overall production, isn't very significant. The Bengals will likely replace Henry with the receiving committee of Maurice Purify and Jerome Simpson; two unproven players that could surprise/disappoint us.

Antwan Odom is perhaps the biggest injury this team has suffered. Through the first two games, the Bengals recorded nine quarterback sacks -- seven from Odom alone. After going down to injury against Houston, the Bengals production hasn't slacked much -- they've recorded five quarterback sacks in the past two games with the following combination of defensive players: Frostee Rucker (1.0), Brandon Johnson (1.5), Robert Geathers (1.0), Michael Johnson (0.5), Jonathan Fanene (0.5), Chinedum Ndukwe (0.5).

Even though Odom's injury was the biggest this team has suffered, in terms of season production coming to a premature end, the team's tight end spot was decimated by injury. However, there was never really any expectation that tight ends would become vital in the passing game, save for pass protection. J.P. Foschi and Daniel Coats are reasonably good when it comes to rush blocking and the biggest difference between the Foschi/Coats tight end era compared to the Kelly/Utecht era is the dropped passes -- admittedly, there's been a few but fortunately, they're not targeted as much.

Two of the biggest improvements this year over the 4-11-1 team in 2008, is that injury isn't crushing the team's chances and the depth chart is as strong as its ever been during the Marvin Lewis era. And the injuries suffered this season hasn't hurt the team's overall production.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Practice

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

6 months ago: Newly-signed free agent Cincinnati Bengals safety Roy Williams smiles during a news conference at the Bengals NFL football stadium, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in Cincinnati. Williams had gone to five pro bowls during his seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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In the latest update of Maurice Purify making the 53-man roster, Pragmatic briefly notes that the team decided to place safety Roy Williams on Injured Reserve to make room for wide receiver. Williams had reportedly suffered another hit on the forearm this week during practice -- the same forearm he broke in 2008 -- causing it to fracture again. It will be put in a cast now, reports Geoff Hobson, in the hopes that surgery isn't required.

Williams only played in half of the season's eight games. And in those four games, Williams was a monster. He recorded nine tackles against Denver, eight against Green Bay, eight against the Pittsburgh Steelers and five against the Baltimore Ravens. He initially suffered a forearm injury against the Steelers, sidelining in the past three games -- he attempted to come back against Baltimore.

This is Williams' only season under contract with the Bengals. Marvin Lewis wants him back.

"We know he's a hell of a kid and that he wants to play in the worst way," Lewis said. "The pain and the trauma on the site of where he had the injury is too much. ... I think the medical people just feel the best way is for him to have a couple of options. He'll explore the best option to go forward for his career next year.

"He's a great player, a great person. He's uplifted this building and we want to have all those guys we can have here. Tough guy to lose. But he's empowered other guys to play better and that's what you want guys to do. It's been good for us."

And I agree. The team should bring Williams back.

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening, we'll (TRY TO) update the practice/injury chart leading up to Sunday's game. The chart is pretty self-explanatory. If the player is listed as out, they're out for the game. If they did not participate, they didn't practice. If they were limited, then they only participated during a portion of practice (typically means missing 11-on-11 drills). If the player is listed as full participation, it simply means that they practiced fully and that the only reason they're listed is because injury was an issue the week before.

Practice

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

12 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry (15) grimaces after injuring his left forearm in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Browse more photos »

You'll have your bumps and bruises in most NFL games. In fact, many people say that when teams avoid major injuries, they're simply luck. And the avoidance of major injury is often credited for a team's season long success.

While beating the favored Baltimore Ravens 17-7 to complete a season sweep, the Bengals suffered their share of injuries that won't be cured with a pack of ice and rubbing dirt on the wound.

Chris Henry suffered a broken forearm on a 20-yard reception with 14:13 left in the second quarter. When asked if the injury is season-ending, head coach Marvin Lewis said “I don’t know that.” On the Bengals second possession, with 6:49 left in the first quarter, Evan Mathis injured an ankle and gingerly walked to the lockerroom. He didn't return. Johnathan Joseph and Robert Geathers were injured and missed a few snaps, but later returned. In Geathers case, he recorded a late fourth quarter sack that forced the Ravens to go for it on third-and-19 with 2:16 left in the game.

Keith Rivers left the game early in the third quarter after a Kevin Huber punt. Listed as out with a calf injury, Rivers didn't return. The Bengals tweet that Rivers left Paul Brown stadium on crutches, but an MRI says that it's not a season-ending injury. A more optimistic view is that he returns next week. But why? Brandon Johnson filled in for Rivers, recorded 1.5 sacks and finished with five tackles. If it takes time, then take it. The win over Baltimore actually gives the Bengals breathing room for at least a wild card spot. Then again, Johnson isn't much of a downgrade from Rivers.

Luckily this team has enough depth at most positions to supplement injuries. For example, when Mathis left, the Bengals were able to insert Nate Livings. Did you notice the change? As things go, if you don't notice the offensive line, then they're doing great. When Rivers left, Johnson only had a frickin' awesome second half.

We should learn more about Mathis and Rivers later this week.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Practice

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening, we'll (TRY TO) update the practice/injury chart leading up to Sunday's game. The chart is pretty self-explanatory. If the player is listed as out, they're out for the game. If they did not participate, they didn't practice. If they were limited, then they only participated during a portion of practice (typically means missing 11-on-11 drills). If the player is listed as full participation, it simply means that they practiced fully and that the only reason they're listed is because injury was an issue the week before.

Practice