Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap has been the subject for some recent discussion with fans asking why he isn't at least starting over Michael Johnson or Robert Geathers. While those discussions take place, Dunlap has spent the previous three practices on the sidelines with a sore right knee which required ice during the team's Tuesday session. The second-year player missed his first two games during the 2010 NFL season after suffering a knee strain during the preseason.
Dunlap set a franchise rookie record with 9.5 quarterback sacks last year, became the first rookie to lead the team in quarterback sacks and finished only behind Detroit's Ndamukong Suh for rookie sacks title. Dunlap also posted at least a shared sack in six straight games last year and posted his entire 9.5 quarterback sacks in the span of eight games.
When the preseason depth chart was released, Dunlap was listed as the backup defensive end behind veteran Robert Geathers in what could be a beneficial rotation with Geathers playing against the run and Dunlap pinning his ears back and rushing the quarterback, keeping both players fresh late in the game.