The Bengals announced another sellout Wednesday with news that the national audience viewing the Nov. 5 game against the Browns at Paul Brown Stadium will also see a capacity crowd. The Thursday night game appears on Cincinnati's Channel 12 as well as NFL Network at 8:25 p.m. The 27-24 OT win over Seattle on Oct. 11 was also sold out . . .
The Bengals' 53-man roster continues to be a paragon of health. On Wednesday the only guy that sat out was left tackle Andrew Whitworth on his veteran day off. Cornerback Leon Hall (back), one of only two regukars to miss a game this year, was limited . . .
No sign of Vontaze Burfict before or during Wednesday's practice. Same with rookie tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, but he said before practice his knee is ready to go and he's just waiting for the team to tell him he can practice. Both aren't on the 53, but are eligible to come off injured lists.
As expected, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) had a full practice. Starting cornerback William Gay (shoulder) and starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt (knee) didn't work and backup quarterback Michael Vick (hamstring) was limited. Thursday is the big day for Big Ben, worried about possible swelling.
Burfict's case isn't as clear. His tweet earlier this week according to various reporters indicated he was flying home to California. And, he wasn't on the field rehabbing Wednesday. What that means for Sunday in Pittsburgh (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 12) is unknown. What we do know is the Thursday practice is the last full-scale workout before the game . . .
Carlos Dunlap, the NFL sack leader, knows all about Steelers Week. More specifically about the bus ride to the locker room through the Heinz Field parking lot.
"They're going to say words I can't say in this microphone," Dunlap said before Wednesday's practice. They're going to throw stuff at you, maybe spit at you, maybe pull their pants at you when the bus comes in. They may hit the bus, they may try to stall the bus. It's the same thing that goes on in SEC rivalries." . . .
In conjunction with the Salute to Service game, the Bengals and USAA honored the airmen and women at WPAFB.
