Head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters after practice that it is likely QB Carson Palmer, who will miss his third game in the last four weeks in this Sunday’s home game against Pittsburgh due to inflammation in his right elbow, would be out for next week’s game at Houston as well.
The Bengals also announced that the season has ended for S Herana-Daze Jones and C Kyle Cook as the two were placed on injured reserve on Friday. Jones missed three games with a hamstring injury but returned to play at Dallas in Week 5 before suffering another hamstring injury in last week’s loss at the New York Jets. Cook suffered a dislocated great toe during warm-ups at Dallas two weeks ago. RG Bobbie Williams becomes the team’s backup to Eric Ghiaciuc at center.
The Bengals signed TE Nate Lawrie and CB Geoffrey Pope off of the practice squad to take the places of Jones and Cook on the 53-man roster.
Lawrie could see action against Pittsburgh as the No. 2 TE behind Reggie Kelly as Ben Utecht is listed as doubtful to play due to a lingering chest injury he suffered in Week 2 against Tennessee when he took a hard hit from Titans LB David Thornton.
The Bengals don’t expect Jamar Fletcher to be available against the Steelers due to a hamstring injury so Pope should slide into the fourth CB spot behind starters Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall and nickel back David Jones.
The Bengals have three players listed as questionable for Sunday’s game on their official injury report: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ankle), K Shayne Graham (groin) and WR/KR Glenn Holt (ankle).
The Bengals also announced that they have signed QB Jeff Rowe to the practice squad. The move will enable to team to give Ryan Fitzpatrick, now the starter due to Palmer’s injury, and No. 2 QB Jordan Palmer a little rest during weekly practice. Rowe was the team’s fifth-round draft choice in 2007 but lost out to Jordan Palmer during training camp and preseason for the No. 3 spot this year.