FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
CINCINNATI BENGALS
–OUT: RB Joe Mixon (knee), C Billy Price (foot)
ATLANTA FALCONS
–OUT: CB Justin Bethel (knee), RB Devonta Freeman (knee), DE Derrick Shelby (groin)
PLAYER NOTES
–DT Ryan Glasgow was placed on injured reserve because of an ACL tear after getting hurt in Sunday’s 31-21 loss at Carolina. Glasgow might have more knowledge of the arduous rehab process awaiting him since his parents work at the Midwest Orthopedic Institute in DeKalb, Ill. Last year as a rookie, he appeared in 36 percent of defensive snaps but this year the former fourth-round pick recorded 11 tackles and was trying to get a 12th before going down with about seven minutes left in the game.
–DL Adolphus Washington was signed off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on Wednesday. Washington was among the final cuts in Buffalo this season and totaled 56 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three passes defended while starting 21 games in two seasons with the Bills.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR A.J. Green shrugged off a groin injury with a “What Me Worry” attitude. While he was forced to miss the rest of the game after attempting a leaping catch in the third quarter, Green is confident he’ll be ready to go in Atlanta. “I thought I had the wind knocked out of me, but when I tried to run, I went ‘Oh,'” Green said. “I didn’t hear anything pop.” Pop is the key word in Green’s comments. If he heard something pop, he likely would be out for a while. By Wednesday, head coach Marvin Lewis seemed to think Green would play at Atlanta.
GAME PLAN: The Bengals go into the game coming off an ineffective day of run defense in Carolina, but the Bengals might not have to contend with Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman, who is day-to-day after missing two weeks with a knee injury. Even if Freeman sits, the Bengals will have to contend with Tevin Cole, who has 159 yards on 40 carries. However, the Bengals should plan for plenty of aerial action from the Falcons, who rank ninth in the league in scoring (26.7 points) and 11th in passing yards (285.3). “I think the thing that separates them is they have a pass game that comes at you from all angles,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick vs. Falcons WR. Kirkpatrick has had the second-most passes thrown in his direction through three weeks and will be among those tasked with limiting Atlanta’s standout trio of Julio Jones, former Bengal Mohamed Sanu and first-round pick Calvin Ridley. On Sunday, Kirkpatrick gave up three third-down receptions and struggled with Devin Funchess. According to data compiled by ProFootballFocus.com, Kirkpatrick has been targeted 31 times, two fewer than league leader Ronald Darby of the Philadelphia Eagles. The differences between the two lies within Cincinnati’s inability to get off the field. Kirkpatrick has played the sixth-most snaps in the league at 217 compared to Darby’s 178. So far, Cincinnati is allowing opponents to convert 24 of 46 (52.2 percent) third downs with 14 of those coming on pass plays. “That stuff is personal this week,” Kirkpatrick said while noting of the Alabama connections between him and Jones and Ridley. “I already know it, they’re not going to say it. For me,” Kirkpatrick said. “I played with Mo, I played with Julio. Calvin played at Bama. I know the buzz going around there because that’s where we’re from. I already know I’ve got to have my (stuff) together. It’s going to be real. I already know it.”
