Evan Mathis News

It's a different knee but the same timetable for Domata Peko. The Bengals defensive tackle suffered an MCL sprain to his right knee Sunday and says that he is day-to-day for this week's game against Cleveland.

Bengals running back Cedric Benson and defensive tackle Domata Peko said before Friday's practice that they felt they'd be on the field for the workout in Paul Brown Stadium, and they were.

With the release of Scott Kooistra on Tuesday and guard Evan Mathis possibly back for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Andre Smith's chances of being active for his first NFL game have increased.

Peko sprained the MCL in his left knee against the Texans and returned the next week to play against the Bears.

The Bengals were fortunate enough to come away from Sunday's game without any major injuries.

Cedric Benson said before today's practice that he will be a gametime decision for Sunday's Bengals' game at Oakland.

Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons is expected to return to the lineup Sunday from a sprained right ankle that forced him out of the game Oct.

CINCINNATI - Following Sunday's 18-12 win over the Steelers, the AFC North-leading Bengals were greeted with long-sleeve shirts in the locker room with the initials "N.D.C.Q". Rey Maualuga has talked about the theme repeatedly during the season.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said after Friday morning's practice inside Paul Brown Stadium that Williams couldn't tolerate the pain in his forearm that was thought to have absorbed a bad bruise in practice a month ago.

After going full go with his forearm injury on Wednesday, he wasn't dressed Thursday and there appears to be concern that the pain just isn't going away and what that means for the rest of the season since it is the same arm that he fractured last season in Dallas.

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Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to make a tackle against # of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 7, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Just go off what happened to Bengals safety Roy Williams when he suffered a similar injury last year and missed the rest of the season after injuring it again in his third game and undergoing surgery.

The Bengals put Henry on injured reserve and brought back offensive guard Scott Kooistra , who was released a week ago.

Three Bengals were injured Sunday, the most serious Chris Henry with a fractured left arm.

As the early games go into halftime, the following players are questionable to return because of injuries: Falcons WR Brian Finneran , Patriots C Dan Koppen and Bengals G Evan Mathis .

Offensive line coach Paul Alexander came off the practice field Thursday choosing not to discuss the status of rookie right tackle Andre Smith but the impact of veteran Scott Kooistra, cut Tuesday to make room for fullback Fui Vakapuna .

Q: You said, "A theme of the bye week is going to be how surprisingly well the offensive line has played." I for one am not surprised.

It is often said that the offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of a football team.

On the opening Monday night game of the 2007 season, the Bengals beat the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium, 27-20; that was the last time Cincinnati could agree that their team was a contender.