Cincinnati Bengals Strategy and Personnel

Shaun Smith is back for his second stint with the team. The sixth-year defensive tackle had a tryout on Tuesday and was signed on Wednesday. Smith was with the Bengals for more than two seasons (late 2004-06) before signing with Cleveland as a restricted free agent. Smith also has experience with Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer from being on Dallas' practice squad in 2003.

Smith was waived by Cleveland during the preseason and signed with Detroit before being one of the last cuts. He played two games for Las Vegas of the UFL, which helped him get back into some football shape.

"I was training in Arizona every day but there's nothing like conditioning with pads on and playing the game," Smith said. "You can do all the running you want but if you don't have the physical contact and working on your pass rush it's different. I never thought my career was over, just a matter of opportunity. If I get thrown right in, I know the defense so far and just take advantage of every opportunity."

One reason why Smith is here is because Domata Peko is out after having arthroscopic knee surgery Monday on his right knee. Peko said on Wednesday that he hopes to be back for the Jan. 3 regular-season finale against the Jets.

"I'll be fine. I'm feeling good," Peko said. "I wish I could have played these two games (against the Vikings and Chargers). These are big games, with the big running backs they have."

Running back Bernard Scott (turf toe) has also been ruled out of Sunday's game; Quan Cosby and Andre Caldwell will return kicks.



PLAYER NOTES

--S Chris Crocker did not practice because of an ankle injury suffered Sunday against Detroit, but he is expected to play this week. Two times this year he has missed the first two days of practice and ended up playing.

--S Kyries Hebert did not practice because of a knee injury suffered Sunday against Detroit, but he is expected to play this week.

--CB Morgan Trent was limited in practice because of a nagging knee injury, but he is expected to play this week.

--RB Bernard Scott, who is out of Sunday's game due to turf toe, says he thinks he will be back for next Sunday's game at San Diego.

--TE Chase Coffman will have surgery next week to remove bone spurs from his left ankle after being placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Vikings RDE Jared Allen. Whitworth has faced a long line of top pass rushers this season starting with Denver's Elvis Dumervil and continuing with Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, Cleveland's Shaun Rogers and Pittsburgh's James Harrison. The Vikings lead the league in sacks and Allen has 12.5. The Bengals have allowed only 22, but eight have come in the last three games. Allen has a quick first step and Whitworth is going to have to keep his balance to push him away from the pocket.

Bengals MLB Dhani Jones vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. The Bengals have allowed just one 100-yard rusher the entire season while Peterson has struggled over the last three games. Jones and the linebackers will need to have discipline and stay in their tackling lanes in order to prevent Peterson from shifting to the outside and breaking it open.

INJURY IMPACT: Peko and Scott are expected to be the only two players out this week. Smith's signing gives them depth on the defensive line, especially with Tank Johnson battling various injuries during the season. With Scott out, both Caldwell and Cosby will be back returning kicks, but Cosby has the slight edge.