by Sports Xchange

Comment

Tom Nelson will be seeing more time as the backup free safety and saw increased action last Sunday when Chris Crocker came out for some plays due to leg cramps. Maurice Purify is officially listed behind Jerome Simpson on the depth chart for second string wide receiver, but Purify is more likely to be active on game days due to the fact that he can do more on special teams.

Bernard Scott has officially moved into the role of top kick returner and solidified it with a 96-yard return for a touchdown last week against Pittsburgh. Offensive tackle Andre Smith's chances of becoming a game day active hinge on the health of guard Evan Mathis. Whenever Mathis is healthy again from an injured ankle, the odds are Scott Kooistra could be listed as inactive and Smith would get moved up.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Keith Rivers missed his fifth straight practice due to a calf injury. He is unlikely to play on Sunday against Oakland with Brandon Johnson getting the start.

--WR Laveranues Coles (head) was listed as having limited participation in practice. He is probable for Sunday's game at Oakland.

--OG Evan Mathis, who missed Wednesday's practice, was limited in Thursday's practice with an ankle injury. He remains doubtful for Sunday with Nate Livings getting the start.

--CB Johnathan Joseph was limited in Thursday's practice with a nagging foot injury, but he is expected to play against the Raiders.

--FB Jeremi Johnson had full participation despite being listed with a chest injury. He is expected to be in the starting lineup against Oakland.

GAME PLAN: Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski surprised the Steelers and Bengals fans by passing on the first five plays. Expect the Bengals to open things up a little more, especially with Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell trying to take advantage of the Raiders secondary.

With Oakland deciding to go with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback, Mike Zimmer might try to blitz a little more against a suspect Raiders' offensive line while also trying to take away Michael Bush and the running game.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco vs. Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Ochocinco was held in check last week against the Steelers, but he has been dangerous over the middle for most of the season; he also has two 100-yard games against the Raiders. Asomugha is one of the best shutdown corners in the league and the Raiders can leave him in one-on-one coverage with Ochocinco and not risk getting exposed.

Bengals DT Domata Peko vs. Raiders RB Michael Bush. Peko is one of the biggest reasons why the Bengals are second in the league in run defense because he can penetrate and stop runners before they can shift outside. Bush ran for 119 yards in the loss to Kansas City last Sunday, but needs to bounce quickly outside if he is going to be able to get any yards.

INJURY IMPACT: If Rivers and Mathis are unable to go again, Brandon Johnson and Nate Livings will get the starts again. If Benson is unable to play, Bernard Scott will receive most of the carries while Brian Leonard and Larry Johnson will be mixed in as well.