Bengals Defensive Tackle Pat Sims Returns To Practice

At one point during Cincinnati's 24-7 Thursday night win over the Carolina Panthers, the respected former Bengals offensive lineman and now Bengals radio network analysts Dave Lapham said that Pat Sims is "arguably the Bengals best defensive tackle" because he's "hard to move." Indeed. According to Football Outsider's Almanac 2011, Pat Sims posted a stop rate of 89%, third amongst all defensive linemen in the NFL. According to their definition, a stop is:

The total number of plays which prevent a “success” by the offense (45 percent of needed yards on first down, 60 percent on second down, 100 percent on third or fourth down).

That suggests nearly 90% of all plays involving Sims constitutes as an offensive failure. Comparatively speaking Domata Peko ranked 12th in the NFL with a stop rate of 84%. Additionally, Sims, who Pro Football Focus graded positively in pass rush and against the run, ranked third on the team with 2.5 quarterback sacks behind rookies Carlos Dunlap (9.5) and Geno Atkins (3.0) last season.

Unfortunately Sims was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list before training camp started with a knee issue. He missed the team's first three preseason games as a result. However according to reports, Sims is finally practicing with the team, as the team worked in helmets and shoulder pads Sunday afternoon.

Also according to reports, running back Jay Finley is back to practice after missing the previous two preseason games with an ankle. The team's rookie out of Baylor posted seven rushes for 15 yards rushing and three receptions during Cincinnati's 34-3 opening preseason loss.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap is still out with a knee, though he expected to be ready for the regular season opener on September 11. Tight end Jermaine Gresham sat out Sunday after playing with a sprained ankle against the Panthers and defensive tackle Jason Shirley reportedly pulled a calf muscle during Thursday's warmups and missed the game.