PLAYER NOTES
–C Billy Price will miss his third straight game with a sprained foot. Price remains in a walking boot and will be out for at least two more games. Price was injured in the first half of the Week 2 win over Baltimore. “Just taking extra precautions and making sure I come back for the rest of the season,” Price said.
–LB Vontaze Burfict is eligible to play Sunday after missing the first four games with a suspension for PED usage. As of Wednesday, it’s unclear of how many snaps Burfict is expected to play. As for how in shape Burfict is, LB Preston Brown said: “He’s a little chubby on the side, but that’s how Tez is, so he’s going to be able to run fast and play physical like he always does. You can’t really tell by how he looks, but we’ll see how he does at practice.” Before serving the suspension, Burfict initially reported to training camp with tightness in his hamstring and didn’t appear in any preseason games.
–RB Giovani Bernard did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, but it seemed to be due to general soreness. Bernard was unable to complete Week 4 with an undisclosed injury. Bernard started the last two games when RB Joe Mixon was recovering from knee surgery and rushed for 130 yards on 27 carries.
–WR John Ross was a limited participant in practice Wednesday with a groin injury. Ross made two key catches last week in Atlanta after getting criticized for his effort in Carolina in Week 3.
–LB Preston Brown was limited in practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He returned from missing two games with an ankle injury and recorded four tackles in Atlanta. If Brown sits it will be the third game of his career that he misses.
–DE Michael Johnson was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. He appeared in 29 snaps Sunday in Atlanta after missing the previous two games with a sprained knee.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Andy Dalton is off to a tremendous start and directed his 22nd game-winning drive last week. His next one will break the mark set by Boomer Esiason. Last week he was 29 of 41 for 337 yards and a 109.5 passer rating. Dalton has a passer rating of over 100 in each game so far and, after throwing three touchdowns, he has 11, five more than last year at this point.
GAME PLAN: With an offense among the league’s most effective, it’s hard to imagine the Bengals deviating from a game plan that features a heavy dose of A.J. Green. If the Bengals encounter a fierce defense against Green, it will be interesting to see how much wide receiver Tyler Boyd gets emphasized following two straight 100-yard games. The Bengals will especially look to incorporate the pass since Miami’s passing defense ranks 26th in yards allowed (284.8).
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Bengals OL vs. Dolphins DE Cameron Wake. Although Wake is at an advanced age (36), he still is a disruptor on the line. The fact that he has one sack does not reveal the full story. Wake has 14 quarterback pressures so far and Bengals fans might recall his game-winning sack of QB Andy Dalton in 2013. The line has permitted seven sacks so far, putting the Bengals on a pace for 28, and Ts Bobby Hart and Cordy Glenn are experiencing inconsistencies. Overall, four of Cincinnati’s offensive lineman to appear in each game have allowed at least five pressures and Alex Redmond and Glenn have surrendered 16 apiece.
–Bengals QB Andy Dalton and WRs vs. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard. Although Howard has been targeted 18 times and allowed eight receptions, it’s what occurs once the catch is made. In the eight receptions he allowed, they have been for 224 yards at an average of 28 yards per catch. And compounding those numbers are the 128 yards after the catch he is allowing. Howard will likely see extensive time attempting to shadow WR A.J. Green
