Bengals OL Billy Price out at least 2 weeks due to foot injury The Bengals will be without Billy Price for at least the next two
weeks.On Wednesday
Womens Nick Vigil Jersey , Price told reporters that his foot injury, which has him in a walking boot, is bad enough that it will keep him out for at
least two more weeks. That means Price will miss the next two games at Carolina
and at Atlanta, and Week 5 at home vs. Miami also looks highly questionable. The
injury in question happened against Baltimore in Week 2 on a run late in the
first quarter in which he appeared to have his foot stepped on. He was down
after the play before trainers came out on the field to examine him. He
eventually got up and walked gingerly to the sideline for further testing before
being ruled out. On the following Friday, head coach Marvin Lewis said it was a
foot strain and he would have been “surprised he (Price) couldn’t come back in
an emergency on Thursday after he was pumping up the crowd when he was walking
off.”With Price out, Trey Hopkins took over at center and played well:Hopkins
had been in a battle for the right guard spot he ultimately lost to Alex
Redmond, but part of that was because the Bengals wanted Hopkins ready to come
off the bench to play right guard or center. So for now, Hopkins is the starting
center against the Panthers and Falcons. The only backup guard is Christian
Westerman if either Redmond or Clint Boling goes down with an injury. CINCINNATI
(AP)Bengals coach Marvin Lewis commiserated with Colts coach Chuck Pagano on the
field at Lucas Oil Stadium before their preseason game in Indianapolis last
August. They can do it again on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. From the get-go,
things have only gotten worse for two teams just down the interstate from one
another. The Colts (2-5) still have no idea when Andrew Luck might be back from
shoulder surgery – he had to stop throwing last week in his rehab program.
They’ve faded fast and hit a new low when they got shut out at home by the
Jaguars last Sunday. ”They’ve had some things they’ve really had to
overcome
John Miller Jersey White ,” Lewis said, recalling their on-field chat. After getting blanked in a game for the first time in 15 years, the Colts make
the short trip to Cincinnati with an injury-depleted roster and no idea when
their most valuable player might be able to throw again. Another loss and things
might come totally unraveled. ”There’s nothing like being in that environment
and the circumstances we’re in to galvanize you as a group,” Pagano said.
They’ve got close company in midseason misery. The Bengals (2-4) are struggling
with their offense as well, even though Andy Dalton is generally healthy. They
managed only 19 yards and one first down during the second half while losing in
Pittsburgh on Sunday. Both teams are running out of time to salvage their
seasons. The winner on Sunday can at least keep hope for one more week. ”You try
to get hot,” Bengals running back Jeremy Hill said. ”A lot of people in this
locker room know what it’s like to get hot and go on a streak. It’s still early.
There’s still so many crazy things that can happen in this league. I’ve seen
it.” Some things to watch at Paul Brown Stadium: DALTON RECOVERS: Dalton has
played the past two games on an aching left ankle. His two turnovers in
Pittsburgh helped the Steelers take control – an off-target throw to A.J. Green
and a ball forced into coverage. The Bengals need him to shake off the bad half
and have a crisp game against the 31st-ranked pass defense in the league.
RUNNING ON EMPTY: The Bengals have struggled to get anything out of their
running game with a varied approach using Hill, rookie Joe Mixon and Giovani
Bernard. They abandoned it in the second half in Pittsburgh – five runs for 17
yards, including two scrambles by Dalton – and need to get that part of the
offense fixed. Mixon complained afterward about the lack of carries – he didn’t
get to run the ball in the second half. ”I feel like that’s been one thing that
we’ve been lacking, with the chunk yards in the run game
Geno Atkins Jersey ,” Dalton said. ”We had a couple plays where they made big runs. That’s what we expect. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”
TURNOVERS: The Bengals have yet to recover a fumble this season and have only
four interceptions. By contrast, Dalton has thrown eight interceptions – tied
for third-most – and Cincinnati has lost five fumbles, tied for fifth-most. The
lack of creating turnovers has been one of their biggest shortcomings. They’re
tied for second-worst in the NFL in turnover ratio, ahead of the winless Browns.
QUICK RELASE: Indianapolis’ continually changing offensive line can’t afford a
repeat of last week. After allowing 10 sacks and 20 quarterback hits in a 27-0
loss to Jacksonville, the Colts have given up a league-high 29 sacks this
season. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has avoided forcing throws, but sometimes
holds onto the ball too long, setting himself up for a lot of hits. ”It’s
football. You’re expected to get hit,” he said. ”Running backs do it. But I’ve
got to do a better job of not taking those hits, too. It’s not the line’s
fault.” THREE FOR THE SHOW: In Pagano’s first two seasons
Womens Andy Dalton Jersey , the Colts never lost back-to-back games. Now, they’re trying to avoid dropping three straight. After losing to Tennessee and
getting shut out for the first time in 376 regular-season games, they hit the
road, where they’ve lost three straight and five of their past six. ”It’s
another game,” left tackle Anthony Castonzo said. ”Whether it’s on the road or
at home, we want to win.” — AP Sports Writer Michael Marot in Indianapolis
contributed to this report. —
