Bengals Bytes (11/19): Getting younger by waiving Pat Sims

Bengals promote Hardy Nickerson, waive Pat Sims
The Bengals signed linebacker Hardy Nickerson off the practice squad Saturday. They waived defensive tackle Pat Sims in a corresponding move. Cincinnati cut Nickerson, a rookie out of the University of Illinois, on Tuesday and re-signed him to the practice squad Wednesday after he cleared waivers. He originally signed with the Bengals as a college free agent this year.

Cincinnati Bengals: 3 keys to a win over the Denver Broncos
Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos have been struggling. While Cincinnati has gone 1-3 since the break, the Broncos have dropped five straight games. Each team comes into Sunday’s matchup at 3-6 and with the slimmest of chances to sneak into the playoffs.

5 questions with Bengals Wire ahead of Week 11
In anticipation of the Broncos’ Week 11 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, we spoke with Chris Roling of Bengals Wire about how Cincinnati looks coming in to the Mile High City, and what we should expect to see on Sunday. Here is our conversation

Peko traded 1 foundering franchise for another
Domata Peko had no idea when he left Cincinnati for Denver in free agency that he was trading one sad situation for another. He'll face his old team Sunday when the Broncos (3-6) try to snap out of a five-week funk against the Bengals (3-6).

TDBH: Bengals stiff Brees while Chad sails to NFL record
While the debate rages if this is truly a more reserved and mature Chad Johnson, the Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver leaves no doubt today in the Superdome that he's still one of those rare playmakers that can take a game by the scruff of the neck and make it his own as he recaptures the Old Chad's spot on top of the AFC receiving yards list. It is one of those days that allows right tackle Willie Anderson to observe, "I think he understands now he's as famous as he's ever going to get," after the Bengals’ 31-16 victory over the Saints.

Quick hits: Bengals get younger again with Sims release; Weather report
Younger. Nose tackle Pat Sims, the Bengals’ oldest draft pick, was waived to make room for rookie middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson making his second trip from the practice squad to the roster this season. That leaves the Bengals with three first-year defensive tackles behind Pro Bowler Geno Atkins in a pair of fourth-rounders from the last two drafts in Andrew Billings and Ryan Glasgow, and undrafted rookie Josh Tupou.

Media Roundtable: Bengals, Broncos both looking three and long
In the last eight seasons the Bengals and Broncos have been staples in the postseason with a combined 11 appearances, but when they meet in Denver Sunday (4:25 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) they are both 3-6 and surrounded by questions a Mile High. The Bengals.com Media Roundtable is as split as the two seasons. The Broncos are trying to buck a streak that not even the winless 2008 Lions encountered with five straight losses of at least 10 points. In the last three weeks the Bengals have played their most un-complementary ball in franchise history to get out-snapped by nearly 100 plays.

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert has procedure done on knee
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert had a procedure done to remove a cyst from his knee, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. Eifert is already on injured reserve after undergoing back surgery that ended his season. The back surgery was his second in consecutive years and third of his career.

AFC North Bytes

Steelers News: Will the Steelers lean on the passing game down the home stretch?
During the first half of the 2017 regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers leaned on the running game. Le’Veon Bell has more carries than any other running back in the NFL and, while some are asking if the team will run the wheels off of Bell, maybe it won’t matter.

Danny Woodhead Activated off IR by Ravens After Hamstring Injury
The Baltimore Ravens announced Saturday they activated veteran running back Danny Woodhead from injured reserve. Woodhead has been out since the season opener after suffering a hamstring injury. According to Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official website, head coach John Harbaugh has yet to confirm if Woodhead will play in Sunday's Week 11 contest against the Green Bay Packers.

Browns owner Haslam meets with players about rebuilding effort
This past Monday, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam met with their players en masse to offer support and context, while also detailing their thoughts on the trying season, sources say. It was not the first time the Haslams have met with the team, having done so as it related to the anthem controversy and other issues. But this talk was memorable in particular because of the message.

Random Bytes

Kam Chancellor Reportedly Could Miss Remainder of Season with Neck Injury
Chancellor suffered the injury—which had been referred to as "neck stingers" by head coach Pete Carroll, according to ESPN.com's Brady Henderson—late in the Seahawks' 22-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 9 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Russell Wilson Had Jaw Reset After Injury, Was on Liquid Diet
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said he had to go on a liquid diet for a couple of days after suffering a jaw injury in the team's Week 10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. On Friday, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk passed along Wilson's comments about his recovery from the hard hit.

Rey Maualuga Released by Dolphins Following Arrest
The Miami Dolphins announced they have released linebacker Rey Maualuga, who was arrested overnight, per Pro Football Talk. According to TMZ Sports, Maualuga was arrested for battery early Saturday morning in Miami. Maualuga, 30, tallied 25 total tackles in six games with the Dolphins after signing a one-year deal in August.