PLAYER NOTES
–WR A.J. Green was named as an alternate to the Pro Bowl but will not appear since he is recovering from toe surgery.
–DL Geno Atkins was named to his seventh Pro Bowl, setting a record among defensive players in team history.
–LB Malik Jefferson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a foot injury suffered last week vs. Oakland.
–LB Chris Worley was signed off the practice squad Tuesday. He is an undrafted rookie, who spent all season on the practice squad.
–S Chris Cooper was signed to the practice squad Tuesday. Cooper was a member of the Indianapolis Colts in training camp.
–WR Tyler Boyd missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury.
–CB Tony McRae missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury.
–LB Jordan Evans missed practice with an ankle injury.
–G Alex Redmond missed practice Wednesday with an illness.
–LB Vontaze Burfict was limited in practice with a concussion.
–T Cordy Glenn was limited in practice with a back injury.
–RB Joe Mixon was limited in practice with a wrist injury.
–WR John Ross was limited in practice with a knee injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Joe Mixon will be IN the spotlight again as the run game continues to get emphasized. He has 53 carries in his last two games and the Bengals have made it clear they intend to ride his rushing abilities for as much as they can for the rest of the season.
GAMELAN: It’s not a coincidence that the Bengals are focusing their offense on the run game since quarterback Andy Dalton was lost for the season with a thumb injury. Their rushing attempts have steadily risen in the last three weeks with totals of 23, 32 and 41 attempts. The last two weeks are the only times the Bengals have carried 30 times and expect more of the same since quarterback Jeff Driskel is experiencing trouble throwing the deep ball and especially if wide receiver Tyler Boyd does not play.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Bengals OL vs. Browns DE Myles Garrett. Garrett constantly generates pressure and has been credited with a pressure in every game except Week 10. He had a significantly productive day in the last meeting with the Bengals, but Cordy Glenn did not play due to a back injury. Glenn returned last week and fared nicely, especially in pass protection. In 41 pass-block snaps against Oakland, he allowed a single pressure, marking the fourth time he did so. Before missing three games, Glenn endured rough outings against Baltimore and New Orleans, allowing a combined nine pressures and two sacks.
–Bengals run defense vs. Browns RB Nick Chubb. In the last two weeks, Chubb is getting 17.5 attempts and averaging 3.51 yards, figures that are both in the top 10. Cincinnati’s run defense allowed 85 and 68 yards respectively following a stretch of three out of four games where opponents rushed for 244, 267 and 218 yards respectively. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap will be among those tasked with the run defense and both produced solid showings last week.
