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We pretty much know who the Bengals’ seven inactive players will be on Sunday vs. the Buccaneers.
On Friday, the team announced that Darqueze Dennard, Nick Vigil, Vontaze Burfict, John Ross, Giovani Bernard and Tyler Kroft were all ruled out for this Week 8 matchup. In addition, Billy Price is listed as doubtful, though Marvin Lewis did say Price could play.
The good news is the Bengals hit their bye week after Sunday, so all of these injured players will have extra time to rest and recover before Week 10 vs. the Saints. Still, not having Burfict, Vigil or Dennard is going to put a lot of added pressure on the Bengals defense to slow down a Buccaneers offense that’s scored 26-plus points in five of six games.
And, it sounds like Burfict may need more than just the bye week to get healthy.
“He’s out for more than this week. He may not be back after the bye. That hip could cost him 2-4 weeks.” - Dave Lapham on Vontaze Burfict
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) October 26, 2018
As for the Buccaneers, they too will have some key players sitting out Sunday. Gerald McCoy and Vinny Curry have both been ruled out, which is a big loss to Tampa Bay’s struggling defense. It’s also great news for the Bengals’ patchwork offensive line.
Also of note, Bengals long snapper Clark Harris cleared the concussion protocol and will play in his 144th Bengals game on Sunday. That will tie him with his predecessor, Brad St. Louis, for the most games played as a member of the Bengals.