There is DJ and DK and CTB out here on a very busy corner at the intersection of the AFC North's top teams before Thursday night's (8:15-Prime Video, Cincinnati’s Channel 9) game at Paycor Stadium between the Bengals and the Steelers.

The initial time the 6-4, 230-pound D.K. Metcalf barged in here, it was two years and a day ago when he was in the second of his two Pro Bowl seasons with Seattle, and the Bengals throttled his offense, 17-13.

In his first season with Pittsburgh, Metcalf is doing D.K.-type things with 18.7 yards per his 19 catches and four touchdowns while trying to become the first player in NFL history with at least 900 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions in each of his first seven seasons.

Just exactly who draws Metcalf is one of Thursday's more intriguing subplots. DJ Turner II, the Bengals' third-year cornerback, has been playing so well against the foes' top receiver this season that his teammates are saying he's an All-Pro if he plays the entire year like he's played the last month. A key move was made there before the game when cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was designated inactive.

Bengals cornerbacks coach Charles Burks, who has coached cornerbacks in Miami and Cincinnati, says Turner has a common denominator with the good ones.

"From Byron Jones to Jason McCourty, Xavien Howard, Chidobe Awuzie, one thing those guys have in common is they are willing to do what it takes to play at a high level. (Turner) has that trait," Burks said this week. "He's willing to do whatever he can to get an edge on the person he's going against."

Turner defensed five passes last Sunday in Green Bay, where he held wide receiver Romeo Doubs to three catches on seven targets for 22 yards. He leads the league with 11 passes defensed, the only player in the NFL in double digits, according to Pro Football Reference.

"It's his technique," Bengals cornerback Josh Newton said. "He's making receivers have to play the game, too. That's what you want. If you've got the receiver thinking before the ball, is snapped, that's half the battle because he's not just using his instincts.

"He was doing the same thing in training camp. Making the same plays on balls on the same routes."

Turner, the fastest prospect at the 2023 NFL scouting combine with a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, is more than just a speedy cover guy. He may be a slight 5-11, 185 pounds, but Burks says, "Don't be fooled by the frame." He had four tackles Sunday, and Newton noted a tackle for loss.

"He saw it coming. He triggered," Newton said. "He's playing like a future AP."

Burks says the reps against a current All-Pro in camp, Ja’Marr Chase, as well as Tee Higgins, have spurred his growth.

"I think he figured out how to play with change of pace at the top of the route," Burks said. "So many battles are won and lost at the top of the route. He was playing too fast at times, and not able to play his game and not able to adapt his speed to the person he was covering. He's making that adjustment. Going against Tee and Ja'Marr really helped him with that. They're two different receivers."

The Bengals are keeping it close to the vest on who gets Metcalf. Maybe they won't follow him. Taylor-Britt was a scratch during an up-and-down season. He played 74 snaps in the opener, five two weeks later, and 49 in Green Bay as Turner and Dax Hill continue to get all the snaps out there. Two years ago on his 24^th birthday, Taylor-Britt followed Metcalf all over the field and held him to four catches for 69 yards on 10 targets. per Pro Football Focus.

Slants and Screens

Speaking of Chase, that ridiculously unbelievable catch in Green Bay made him the third player in NFL history with at least 50 touchdown catches before he turns 26. Only Randy Moss, with 60, and Rob Gronkowski, (54), have more …

It was one of 10 catches on Sunday, the 13^th time he had double-digits. Only Michael Thomas with 18 games has more by a player in his first five seasons …

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has the most touchdown passes on Thursday night with 37. He needs 332 yards to pass to Tom Brady for most Thursday night passing yards …

Before the game, the Bengals activated right guard Lucas Patrick (calf) from injured reserve. Patrick made the first 34 starts of his NFL career with Rodgers in Green Bay. But they stayed with rookie Jalen Rivers in the starting lineup ...

It looked like left guard Dylan Fairchild, out last week, was good to go after practicing full Tuesday. But Dalton Risner got the start again ...