Everyone vaguely confident that Andrew Whitworth will be ready

During the media's one-hour session in the team's locker room on Monday, several questions were asked to Andrew Whitworth about the status of his surgically repaired knee. After taking off this summer to rehabilitate his knee, Whitworth opened training camp as a full participant, only to sit throughout most of training camp and every preseason game.

He insists that he's still strengthening his knee, but concerns are starting to surface.

Whitworth offered no timetable Monday, telling reporters that he's "in the middle of the process." Most of the comments were regurgitated from previous questions asking about the status of his knee.

Whitworth not concerned with being ready for Chicago opener, says he's concentrating on making sure knee healthy when he is out there.

— Kevin Goheen (@FSOhio_KGoheen) August 26, 2013

Lewis added on Monday that he's "confident Whitworth will be set for the opener."

These are the things that we expect the team to say publicly. And as we've pointed out before, even if Whitworth is out against the Chicago Bears two weeks from yesterday, the team has a more-than-serviceable backup in Anthony Collins. So even if Whitworth can't go against the Bears on Sept. 8, at least he'll have an opportunity to continue his rehabilitation when the team needs him during those critical games of the season.