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The Bengals held another practice in preparation for the Giants on Friday.
A few players were sidelined, among them, wide receiver James Wright. It appears a hamstring issue is threatening to sideline the former LSU receiver on Monday night.
WR James Wright not practicing, was out with a hamstring yesterday.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 11, 2016
Wright has been getting extra practices off this season to help manage his surgically-repaired knee, and missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury. This hamstring issue is likely a new one though, as Wright only missed that one game. He missed practice this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and now Thursday, so we should expect him to be inactive in New York.
That means the Bengals will likely activate Cody Core on Monday night. The sixth-round rookie out of Ole Miss has been inactive in all but one game this season (Week 5 at Dallas, when Wright was inactive). Core had a great showing in the preseason, enough that some thought he could be the No. 4 wide receiver in this offense, but the Bengals are notoriously slow with bringing rookie along, especially late-rounders.
As for the rest of the banged-up Bengals, everyone who was limited on Thursday (Vontaze Burfict, Pat Sims and Michael Johnson) was able to practice on Friday. Though, it’s unknown as of now if they were full participants.
Pat Sims, Michael Johnson and Vontaze Burfict, all were limited yesterday, but back out here today for #Bengals.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 11, 2016
Burfict was limited with a thigh issue on Thursday, so seeing him out there for a second-straight day seems to indicate he will be fine. The Bengals can’t afford to lose another linebacker with Rey Maualuga likely out. Maualuga was not present for Friday’s session as he remains mysteriously sidelined with a fibula injury.
Starting defensive end Michael Johnson was limited with a calf injury on Thursday, and did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. He was practicing Friday though, so he should be good to go Monday.
Starting defensive tackle Peko got what appeared to be a veteran’s rest day off on Thursday before returning Friday. Backup defensive tackle Sims was able to practice Thursday after being limited in Thursday’s session with a rib injury.
Be sure to check back later for the full practice and participation report for Friday. Because the Bengals play on Monday night, they still have one more official practice on Saturday, though that will likely be just a walkthrough.