Pat Sims Expects To Return For Preseason Finale

According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, defensive tackle Pat Sims plans to be ready for the preseason finale on September 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Sims has been on the Active/PUP throughout training camp due to a knee injury; Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called Sims a "victim of the lockout" due to his inability to rehabilitate his injured knee with the team. Sims is expected to be a contributor for the Bengals defense in 2011, likely as a starting defensive tackle. That would give the team a rotation of Sims, Domata Peko, Geno Atkins and yes, Clinton McDonald up the middle.

Sims, Cincinnati's third round during the 2008 NFL Draft, has recorded 41 games and 22 starts during his NFL career, posting 44 tackles, 2.5 quarterback sacks and nine quarterback pressures in 2010 along. A fourth quarter deflection by Sims led to a Brandon Johnson interception during Cincinnati's 15-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Sims also led the defensive line with six tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in early November, posted five tackles against the Steelers in mid-December including a quarterback sack that knocked Pittsburgh out of field goal range in the fourth quarter.