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Ravens decline to say whether Vontaze Burfict is a dirty player
The Ravens have a history of run-ins with Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. "That's a tough thing to answer," Flacco said. "I try not to worry about all that stuff. I just want to go out there and play the game. For the most part, he's does that. But obviously, he's had his incidents. We'll see how it goes on Sunday. But I'm not going to worry about it."
It wasn’t a done deal. But that’s where they were headed. Rookie cornerback William Jackson was the leader in the clubhouse. When the time was right in the next six weeks, the Bengals would make the move for the future and activate Jackson, their first-round pick, and send veteran Pro Bowl special teamer and running back Cedric Peerman to season-ending injured reserve.
Lewis, Dalton News Conference Transcript 11/23
As we get ready to play the Ravens, the thing that obviously is standing out is that they’re doing a great job defensively, yards and points. They got off to a great start this season with the first three games and then lost four in a row, and then they came back and won two and then lost last week. But throughout all of that, they’ve been pretty consistent defensively. We’ve know it’s going to be a physical football game, particularly on early downs. They’re also very good on third down this year defensively. All in all, it’ll be a big matchup for us offensively.
I don’t think you need to do a tear-down rebuilding job. We don’t live in Jacksonville, Buffalo, or anywhere that’s had a dearth of wins for years. You’ve got a quarterback, a Pro Bowl receiver, a Pro Bowl tight end, two good running backs, and a batch of first-round cornerbacks. You know how many franchises would take that right now?
Peerman practicing; Rookie Jackson to IR; Dalton limited; Dre, LaFell, Williams on side
The Bengals are bringing back Pro Bowl special teamer Cedric Peerman off injured reserve and putting first-round pick William Jackson on injured reserve for the rest of the year. They had a choice between activating Peerman, a seventh-year running back heading into free agency who broke his arm in the pre-season finale, and Jackson, the rookie cornerback from Houston who tore his pectoral muscle in the first week of training camp.
For Bengals' offensive replacements: 'Find a way'
In today's Walkthru, the players charged with replacing A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard know it will take a group effort, Brandon Thompson returns to practice, and a sad song from a legend.
Bengals' 'D' looks to sync up with re-tooled offense
Over the last two weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals have held the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills to 21 and 16 points, respectively, and 564 combined yards. They’re not magical numbers, but for a unit that was allowing 23.6 points and 378.5 per game through the first eight weeks, it has been an improvement.
Cincinnati Bengals' Andy Dalton back on injury report for second week
Getting sacked 29 times in one season would take its toll on any quarterback. It looks like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is getting to that point. Dalton was listed on the injury report for the second straight week with a right shoulder injury (his throwing shoulder). Dalton was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Cincinnati Bengals struggled with Ravens' Steve Smith in last meeting
Baltimore Ravens receiver Steve Smith has given the Cincinnati Bengals a headache in several of their meetings. Smith has four career 100-yard days against the Bengals in five regular-season games played as a member of the Panthers and Ravens. In their only meeting last year, Smith had 186 yards (the third-highest total of his career) and two touchdowns.
AFC North Bytes
Steve Smith Sr. of Baltimore Ravens on rookies' barbs -- Losing sleep ... not
Steve Smith Sr. has been called out by two rookie cornerbacks this season. The Ravens wide receiver has no problem emphasizing how much that doesn't bother him.
RG3 says there is "No doubt" he can still be the Browns starting quarterback
The Browns Robert Griffin III was back at practice Wednesday. Griffin has been designated for return from injured reserve and returned to practice Wednesday. He suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left shoulder during the season opener at Philadelphia and was placed injured reserve on Sept. 12. Griffin thinks there is still time this season for him to show that he can still be the long-term answer for the Browns at quarterback.
Steelers Moving Ahead With Rookie Starters On Defense
If the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t operating with a clear plan heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, they clearly are now, and that plan is simple: play the rookies. The Steelers used their top picks in the first, second, and third rounds of the draft to add defensive players at areas of need at cornerback, safety, and nose tackle, respectively, and, as of Week 11, all three of them have entered the starting lineup.
Random Bytes
Earl Thomas, DeShawn Shead, Michael Bennett likely out for Seahawks against Bucs
It’s a good thing that the Seahawks have built a cushion in the NFC West and the race for a first-round bye because they are limping in to Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Lacy and Shields out for season for Packers
Running back Eddie Lacy and cornerback Sam Shields will stay on injured reserve for the rest of the season, with the Green Bay Packers planning to activate cornerback Makinton Dorleant from injured reserve. Coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that Dorleant, an undrafted rookie free agent, would be activated for the game Monday night at Philadelphia.
Andrew Luck (concussion) out for Thanksgiving game
Luck suffered the concussion during the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans. After entering protocol, it was always a long-shot Luck would be cleared to play on a short week. He will now have extra time to heal before the Colts face the Jets on Monday night on Dec. 5. After starting every game the first three years of his career, the battered Luck will miss his 10th contest in the past two seasons.
Steelers RB Karlos Williams to be suspended 10 games
Karlos Williams will have more time off. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports the Steelers running back is being suspended 10 games for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, per a source informed of the situation.