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The Cincinnati Bengals will open the preseason Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
A number of players dealing with minor injuries and/or rehabbing from major injuries won't be making the trip, including linebacker Sean Porter, offensive tackle Andre Smith, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and linebacker J.K. Schaffer.
Geno Porter Schaffer Andre Smith not working and won't play Thursday
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2014
Offensive guard Clint Boling is also likely out, as he's continuing to rehab form the torn ACL he suffered late last season.
Boling suited but not expected to play Thursday. Rookie LG Trey Hopkins probably starts in KC
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2014
The Bengals will also be without wide receiver Marvin Jones and tight end Jermaine Gresham. Given that those two, along with Atkins, just made their training camp debuts Monday, this is the smart option. There's no need for those three to be rushed back into game-action and risk a serious injury.
As for Smith, he's still dealing with the lingering affects of a concussion he reportedly suffered last Monday, eight days ago. The Pro Bowl tackle is heading into his sixth NFL season, and has established himself as one of the NFL's top right tackles.
Porter, a 4th-round pick from the 2013 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, also hasn't worked in several days with an unknown ailment. After missing his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury, Porter is inching closer to the wrong side of the roster bubble if he's not already there.