The Bengals announced DE Carlos Dunlap will miss Sunday’s Week 13 match-up against Pittsburgh. CB Nate Clements is listed as Questionable, but did not practice Friday.
It’s rare when a player doesn’t practice on Friday but plays on Sunday.
Adam Jones and Kelly Jennings will likely be the starting corners if Clements cannot play. The Bengals secondary is depleted due to injuries. CB Leon Hall is out for the year after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Week 10. Clements, the other starting corner, typically moves inside to cover the slot receiver in their nickel package, leaving either inexperienced Brandon Ghee to assume the nickel role, or possibly having SS Chris Crocker move inside. Crocker, though, is also listed as questionable with a biceps injury.
This could be a significant advantage for the receiver-deep Steelers. Antonio Brown carved the Bengals up – Hall in particular – the last time these teams played, a 24-17 Steelers win. With QB Ben Roethlisberger’s broken thumb seemingly not an obstacle, the Steelers may use the Bengals injuries as a reason to get back to throwing the deep ball – something they have not done in previous weeks.
The Steelers are expected to have C Maurkice Pouncey (illness), QB Ben Roethlisberger (thumb) and SS Troy Polamalu, all of whom either missed a practice or were limited this week. OLB LaMarr Woodley will play for the first time since Week 8. WR Arnaz Battle and OLB Chris Carter have been ruled out.
Source: Behind the Steel Curtain
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