Bengals News (10/8): Red zone struggles loom large

Defense Eyes A Jolt From Youth
As the Bengals grapple with a split personality of a defense (winnable in Seattle and Buffalo while gouged at home by the 49ers and Cardinals), defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said Monday they'll give some younger players a look in Sunday’s game (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) at AFC North-leading Baltimore.

Bengals' A.J. Green out at least another week
On Monday, Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said the ninth-year receiver will not play in Sunday's game at Baltimore, which means the earliest he could make his debut would be in Week 7 against Jacksonville.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals go Justin Herbert at No. 1 overall
We might want to erase the Miami Dolphins as the shoo-in for the No. 1 overall pick. The now Jay Gruden-less Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals will seemingly provide Brian Flores' club serious competition for that top selection.

Taylor's Thoughts On The Team's Mindset, The Ravens And A.J. Green's Status
“From an injury standpoint, Alex Erickson had a concussion, so he’ll go through the protocol. We’ll see where that’s at. He’s seemingly responded well today, but he has to go through all of those tests and get through the week. Shawn Williams had some (injury) issues in the second half. He’s really fighting through it. We’ll see where he’s at this week. B.W. Webb played with a cast and came out okay with it. That’s where we’re at from an injury standpoint. Andre (OT Andre Smith) got banged up at the end of the game and he’ll be day-to-day – that’s how he’s been each week. We usually give him some time (off in practice) on Wednesdays. That’ll be no different this week. I don’t expect anything long-term there. Those are some guys that will have to get through the week, but for the most part, we came out without any major injuries.

Bengals are struggling, on the field and in the stadium
The Bengals have lost five in a row to start the season, with a pair of home games played before less than capacity crowds. According to the official NFL gamebook, only 50,666 attended the Week Two loss to the 49ers. Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals featured only 46,012.

Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green will not play in Week 6, veteran teammate says a trade 'better not happen'
A.J. Green will have to wait at least another week before making his 2019 season debut. On Monday, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced that the team's seven-time Pro Bowl receiver will not practice this week and therefore will not be on the field when the Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens on the road this Sunday in an AFC North divisional matchup. Green has yet to play this season after sustaining a left ankle injury during the first day of training camp. Green, who underwent surgery in late July to repair torn ligaments, was able to get rid of his walking boot several weeks ago.

Cincinnati Bengals offense continues to struggle in red zone
It’s becoming a common theme. The Cincinnati Bengals offense comes within 20 yards of the end zone and they end up kicking a field goal or come away with no points at all. Consequently, when the clock hits zero, the Bengals offense is left pondering about all their blown opportunities.

TML: NFL Week 5, Bengals-Cardinals, stadium deals, Kyler Murray, golf
Already, you have to consider the possibilities of wholesale change. Five games into the New Dey regime, it’s only slightly crazy to believe Ryan Finley should get a look at QB, Gio and Mixon should form a two-man backfield and #tankforTua should become more than a far-out suggestion from an angry fan base.

Bengals Booth Podcast: So Close
In this week’s “Fun Facts” interview, Hoard interviews quarterback Ryan Finley to discuss why he chose basketball over football in college, his decision to stay at N.C. State and use his sixth year of eligibility and talk about his time as a player roller hockey on Team USA as a kid.

Around the league

Jay Gruden 'not bitter' over firing: 'I didn't get it done'
Following Washington's 33-7 home loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon, the 52-year-old now-former Redskins coach received a text at 8 p.m. ET to report to Snyder's office at 5 a.m. the next day, Carpenter reported. Gruden drove to the Redskins' facility around midnight and stayed in his office until the meeting was to occur. In the rendez-vous at dawn, Gruden was fired.

Bills deal WR Zay Jones to Raiders for 2021 pick
While Jones is still a young, developing talent, the Raiders were in desperate need of an able body at receiver with wideouts Tyrell Williams (foot), J.J. Nelson (knee) and Dwayne Harris (ankle) all dealing with lower body injuries over the last week.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard suffers another concussion
Shepard briefly exited in the third quarter of New York's loss to the Vikings this past Sunday but was cleared to return. He hit the turf hard while trying to catch a deep ball from Daniel Jones, with Xavier Rhodes in coverage. Shepard returned in the fourth quarter but did not play the Giants' final series.

Jags' Jalen Ramsey in Houston to see back specialist
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Ramsey is in Houston to see a back specialist this morning, at the request of the team, for the injury that has kept him out the last two games, per a source informed of the situation.