Bengals Friday injury report: Darqueze Dennard, Pat Sims still out

The Bengals hit the field Friday for practice in preparation for their game against the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. The practice session was closed to the public but some members of the media were allowed to attend.

Among the most notable players unable to practice was cornerback Darqueze Dennard. He was working on the rehab field as he deals with a lingering groin injury that the team is being cautious with. He probably won't play Monday, leaving more snaps for guys like Troy Hill and Chris Lewis-Harris as they fight for roster spots.

That's also the case at defensive tackle with Pat Sims as he was once again held out Friday. He left Wednesday's practice with a thigh injury and didn't practice on Thursday. With him missing the past two days, he'll likely be held out Monday, leaving more snaps for Devon Still, Kwame Geathers and DeShawn Williams as they fight for one of the final defensive line spots.

Offensive lineman Trey Hopkins continued to be held out with a leg injury.He missed last Friday's preseason opener, as well as every practice this week. His chances of making the final roster are fading.

Offensive tackle Andre Smith didn't practice today after not going Thursday either. He sat out during last week's preseason opener, but practiced Monday and Wednesday this week. It's unclear with what injury/ailment he's dealing with, but it doesn't look like just veteran's rest.

Cornerback Brandon Ghee was also out while dealing with his hamstring injury on Friday. Ghee is in danger of being among the first wave of roster cuts in less than two weeks. That's also what's plaguing Onterrio McCalebb, who also could be part of the first wave of cuts and has sit out from practice for about two weeks now.

Per Geoff Hobson, running back Terrell Watson, who left Thursday’s practice with a foot/ankle injury, was back on the field in uniform but not working on Friday.

Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson and cornerback Adam Jones were not at practice for undisclosed reasons. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu was not present as he welcomed the birth of his new baby early Friday morning.

Indications are absences of CB Adam Jones and DT Brandon Thompson aren't major issues.

— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 21, 2015

Sims still out and most likely out for Tampa, giving more snaps to Still, Hardison, Williams

— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 21, 2015

Offense: Fisher, Hopkins, Reese in tshirts. Smith and Sanu also absent today. #Bengals

— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 21, 2015

Defense: Dennard, Ghee on the rehab field. No Jones, Sims, Thompson, Johnson. #Bengals

— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 21, 2015