AFC North: Brief Look at Key Injuries

The NFL regular season is just a quarter of the way finished and the Cincinnati Bengals already own a two-game lead over their closest AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cincinnati has started perfect with a 4-0 record with two wins at home and two on the road. Pittsburgh is minus its starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger but is 2-2 going 1-1 at home and one the road.

Baltimore is 1-3 on the season, while the Cleveland Browns are the same 1-3.

Here are a few words on injuries and other information about the four AFC North teams

Ravens

Crockett Gillmore a tight end for Baltimore could play this week against Cleveland after he missed last Thursday’s game due to a calf strain. If Gillmore plays, he could be a big target for quarterback Joe Flacco since wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. is not expected to play due to a bad back.

If Gillmore cannot play, Baltimore would have to rely on two backups who are rookies in Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams. They have combined for just 5 receptions for a total of 29 yards.

Bengals

By Wednesday, the team and fans should have a better idea what players will and will not play this weekend against a tough Seattle team. Adam Jones a cornerback, George Iloka a safety and Vincent Rey a linebacker are the players who are most important of those nursing injuries. Rey and Jones both said following the game last Sunday that they would be able to play against the Seahawks. Iloka, who did not play last week, would like to ease back to 100%.

Browns

Joe Haden the Browns Pro Bowl cornerback did not play against San Diego last week due to a broken finger. Coach Mike Pettine hopes that Haden is more comfortable this week as the team prepares to face the Ravens.

Steelers

Matt Spaeth the backup tight end for the Steelers has been limited due to a hand injury and that is important for a pair of reasons.

Heath Miller would be forced to primary blocking for the majority of the game , which reduces his role of pass catching for the second consecutive week.
Secondly, it appears that running back Le’Veon Bell likes how Miller blocks as he ran for 129 yards in last week’s loss, while Miller was instrumental in opening creases. That should happen this weekend again San Diego and offer Bell another outstanding day running the pigskin.