Bengals vs. Ravens Practice: Andre Smith working on the side

During a typical Monday following a game on Sunday, players would watch film and receive some treatment. These schedules are slightly modified during bye weeks and prior to the first regular game on the team's schedule. Otherwise you won't receive much more than a presser, updates to major injuries and a brief lull for transition (moving on to the next game).

That being said, the Bengals practiced on Monday. According to various reports, offensive tackle Andre Smith is working on the side with his helmet. Smith has missed most of the team's practices and all four preseason games... asking the question, will he be ready? Last year Andrew Whitworth was dealing with rehabilitation after a procedure on his knee. After confidently expressing a no-holds determination to play week one, he sat against the Chicago Bears.

Monday's practice won't offer many clues for Smith. If he's in his helmet and working on the side, it's better than not working at all. If he practices on Wednesday, there's a good chance he plays Sunday. If not, then the obvious inclination of his prospect diminishes by the day.

Will Svitek started at right tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs, before, Marshall Newhouse started there against the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. Svitek didn't make the 53-man squad but Newhouse did, and according to Pro Football Focus, Newhouse submitted the team's best grade as a run blocker, scoring a +3.4 during the preseason. Yet, where he was dominant in the running game, he struggled in pass protection, scoring a -2.3... the second-worst on the team (behind Chandler Burden).

Smith has played every game in each of the past two years and starting all but one -- Anthony Collins started at right tackle in San Diego due to "coach's decision". When Clint Boling suffered an ACL injury, Collins moved to left tackle, Whitworth to left guard and Smith entered the game at right tackle.

Also reportedly out during Monday's practice are linebacker Sean Porter, running back Rex Burkhead and wide receiver Marvin Jones. None are not expected to play this Sunday, dealing with a hamstring, knee and foot injury respectively. Geoff Hobson tweets that James Wright "does not appear to be working" while Coley Harvey says that he is... though he adds "but without (the) injury report", it's unknown how much he's working.