Stomach Flu Spreading Through Bengals Locker Room

Bengals running back BanJarvus Green-Ellis and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, along with linebacker Vontaze Burfict could miss the team's third, and arguably most important, preseason game against the Cardinals in Arizona due to a stomach virus, according to ESPN's Coley Harvey.

Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis also are worth keeping tabs on after both missed practice time due to a stomach virus that has been spreading around the team the past two weeks. It's the same virus linebacker Vontaze Burfict has had, and one that could keep him from playing in a type of homecoming game. Burfict played at nearby Arizona State in college.

While Kirkpatrick may not be a starter in the first week of the season, his spot on the 53-man roster is secure, but Green-Ellis' role with the Bengals isn't nearly as clear. With rookie Jeremy Hill poised to be the new bruising back to counter Giovani Bernard's more elusive style, there isn't much of a need for the older running back. Also releasing Green-Ellis would free up cap space.

Burfict's pending four-year extension could be in the pending status due to the stomach flu as well, though there is no speculation about his role on the team in 2014.

It's currently unclear as to whether or not there are more Bengals players affected by the stomach bug that's floating around in the locker room, but hopefully they get better and will be able to take the field for the team's dress rehearsal.