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As the Bengals hit the practice field on Thursday, AJ McCarron made his return after sitting out on Wednesday.
A sore neck led to the backup quarterback not participating on Wednesday but it looks like it was nothing significant as he was able to practice again, though quarterbacks rarely experience any real contact in practice, especially heading into the final month of the regular season.
Andrew Whitworth was also back at practice after sitting out Wednesday with his normal veteran’s rest day.
McCarron, Whit back to work today. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) December 1, 2016
As expected, A.J. Green was unable to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday as well. The good news is Green was back on the rehab field working, along with safety Derron Smith, who is dealing with a thigh injury.
Derron Smith walking out late with A.J.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) December 1, 2016
Heading to rehab field.#Bengals pic.twitter.com/bbmTkDVakJ
It continues to look as though Green will miss this Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles. And, according to Bob Holtzman of ESPN, Green will not play on Sunday.
Sources close to A.J. Green tell me the Bengals wide receiver will miss his third straight game on Sunday. I'm... https://t.co/hRysg6V8K2
— bob holtzman (@BobHoltzmanESPN) December 1, 2016
It’s unclear how soon he will return, but it continues to look like the All-Pro receiver will play again in 2016.
As for Smith, he sat out Wednesday as well while dealing with his thigh issue, which caused him missing Week 12. He was in line to start against the Ravens with Shawn Williams sidelined with a hamstring injury, but both ended up missing that game. It looks as though Smith could miss this coming Sunday’s game as well. But, Williams is more likely to return after being limited on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Wallace Gilberry and C.J. Uzomah were not spotted at practice, though it was never confirmed if they actually missed the session.
Only two I haven't seen are Uzomah, Gilberry. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) December 1, 2016
Green and Smith walked out eventually to the rehab field. The guys with calves (Gilberry, Uzomah) were absent by time we had to go.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) December 1, 2016
Both players were limited on Wednesday with calf injuries. Gilberry was dealing with his last week, too, but ended up playing in Baltimore. Uzomah has dealt with his for two weeks now and has missed two straight games.
The Uzomah injury could be significant if Tyler Kroft is also unable to go Sunday. Kroft is recovering from a concussion that had him limited on Wednesday. If both players were to miss Week 13, Ryan Hewitt would get a lot more work as the backup tight end next to Tyler Eifert.
Everyone else on the 53-man roster appeared to practice on Thursday. Other players dealing with injuries who were limited on Wednesday include Clint Boling (shoulder), Brandon LaFell (knee), Clark Harris (groin), Carlos Dunlap (thigh), and Hewitt (foot).
Be sure to check back later for the full Thursday practice and participation report for both the Bengals and Eagles.