Bengals Bytes (8/23): Out of nowhere

Eric Winston sees trouble ahead for NFL, says lockout could 'kill goose that laid golden egg'
Don't be surprised if it's FC Cincinnati – not the Cincinnati Bengals – playing in Paul Brown Stadium in 20 years. As president of the NFL players union, the 12th-year Bengals tackle has a unique perspective on the future of pro football. Winston not only says players and fans should get ready for a lockout when the 10-year collective bargaining agreement expires in 2021, he thinks another round of labor strife like 2011 could ”kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”

Ben-Gal Cheerleaders - Chiefs at Bengals
Cincinnati Ben-Gal Cheerleaders perform during the Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals game 8/19/2017 *Photos taken by Steve France

Bengals D-coordinator on finding Chris Smith: 'Who is this guy?'
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Smith will end up on a roster somewhere. If the numbers shake out right, it just might be in Cincinnati. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther discovered Smith a year ago. Smith was still on the Jaguars' roster at the team, and as Guenther watched Jaguars film in preparation for their preseason game, he was impressed.

Eric Winston, NFLPA president, says he doesn't care if NFL 'dies out in 20 years' because of work stoppage
NFL Players Association president Eric Winston agreed with DeMaurice Smith's recent comments that a work stoppage in 2021 is likely, given the current relationship between the union and the league. But Winston took it a step further Monday in an interview with television station WCPO in Cincinnati, suggesting that players shouldn't care that a strike or lockout "might kill the goose that laid the golden egg."

Bengals Walkthru: John Ross has injured company and is Jessica Jones good?
John Ross was sitting in his locker (yes, in, not at) on Monday, flipping through his phone when an unwitting conversationalist brought the cameras and microphones. Ross, the Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round pick, carefully answered the expected questions about wanting to play, waiting to play, and if he would play this weekend in Washington

It's time for Marvin Lewis to get tough with Bengals
It’s that time. With the regular season around the corner, Marvin Lewis needs to get his game face in gear. After watching a lackluster performance from the Bengals, there has to be a changing of the emotional guards. Lewis needs to become the coach that makes players cringe when they make a mistake. It’s time to get tough and lose the buddy persona.

AFC North Bytes

Abandoned as an infant, Steelers RB Terrell Watson makes a name for himself
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin calls undrafted free-agent running back Terrell Watson “Nightmare,” a playful nod to Watson’s alma mater. Watson attended Division II Azusa Pacific, which became famous a generation ago for producing Christian Okoye, the former Kansas City Chiefs running back who became known as the “Nigerian Nightmare.”

Le'Veon Bell Says He'll Return to Steelers on Sept. 1
While there has been concern among fans about Le'Veon Bell's holdout, the Pittsburgh Steelers star confirmed he will be back before the start of the regular season. When asked by a fan when he will "show up," the running back responded on his Twitter account

Patrick Ricard looking to be NFL's sixth two-way player in last decade
As an undrafted rookie, Patrick Ricard knows that making the Baltimore Ravens' 53-man roster would be an accomplishment. Along the way, Ricard could make NFL history as well. He is pulling double duty for the Ravens these days, playing on the defensive line and in the offensive backfield as a fullback.

Browns sign DL Brandon Thompson after cutting Desmond Bryant
The Browns signed defensive lineman Brandon Thompson after releasing Desmond Bryant, the team announced. Thompson originally was a third-round choice of the Bengals in 2012. He spent four seasons in Cincinnati, making 53 tackles and three sacks in 39 games.

Tank Carder tears ACL; Joe Schobert is the next man up at middle linebacker
The Cleveland Browns suffered their first season-ending injury of the summer in the team’s 10-6 win over the New York Giants on Monday night. Browns head coach Hue Jackson, speaking on a conference call on Tuesday, confirmed that linebacker Tank Carder suffered a torn ACL in the first half of the Browns’ second preseason game and will undergo season-ending surgery.

Random Bytes

Emmanuel Sanders Involved in Car Accident En Route to Practice
Denver Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders was involved in a car accident Tuesday when he collided with another driver on his way to practice, according to Erin Powell of 9News. While neither person involved in the accident was seriously hurt, Sanders complained of a headache after the incident.

Odell Beckham hit: That’s football says Charles Woodson
Regarding the hit that kayoed Odell Beckham Jr., and angered the Giants locker room because players thought it was a cheap shot at Beckham’s exposed leg: Tough break. Legal hit. No sympathy. On Monday night, Cleveland cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun took a flying dive into Beckham’s legs in the Browns-Giants preseason game, his right shoulder caving in Beckham’s left leg. The diagnosis was not a knee injury, but an ankle injury, with Beckham avoiding major damage.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham could miss season opener vs. Dallas Cowboys due to ankle injury
Odell Beckham Jr.'s ankle injury could potentially keep the New York Giants wide receiver out of the season opener, sources told ESPN's Jordan Raanan and Dan Graziano. The Giants open their season on the road on Sept. 10 against the Dallas Cowboys. It's "not out of the question he could miss a week or two of the regular season," according to one source.