In the only game that features two teams with winning records this week A.J. Green Jersey , the injury bug couldn’t help but rear its ugly face as the weekend begins. Just after the final injury reports were released for Sunday’s showdown between the Bengals and Saints, New Orleans’ newest player Dez Bryant went down with an achilles injury, and the team fears it’s a tear in the infamous tendon.For the home team, they got a mix of both good and bad news.Running back Giovani Bernard and center Billy Price are both on track to play on Sunday, per Geoff Hobson of bengals.com. For Bernard, it would be his first game since Week 4 when he injured his knee after running for 69 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons. As for the rookie Price, he will make his third career start at center since he left the middle of Week 2’s divisional matchup against the Ravens with a foot injury.Despite getting back both Bernard and Price, the Bengals are still from clear from injuries. They were already planning on being without starters A.J. Green, Tyler Kroft, Vontaze Burfict, Nick Vigil and Darqueze Dennard as all of them are still dealing with their respective ailments. Joining them on the inactive list now figures to be Alex Redmond and Josh Malone. Redmond is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury after getting just a single limited practice in this week and Malone appeared on the injury report when his own hamstring started hurting him on Thursday. Redmond obviously didn’t get a full practice under his belt this week while dealing with his injury, but surprisingly, Bernard didn’t either and head coach is supposedly giving him the green light regardless.“He feels better each day. He’s had a productive week, seemed to fit in and feel good about things each day.” Head coach Marvin Lewis said to reporters on Friday. “I think having Monday was great. It was an advantage for a guy like (Bernard) as he works his way back. A little bit of going out and getting used to being out on the football field again and out there within the offense. The little work he got on Monday and to work through the week can be good.”Being the precautious organization they are, the Bengals almost never allow a player to play after being a limited participant in practice during the week prior. Bernard returning after over a month of recovery time fits with the initial diagnosis we were given following his injury. But still, without practicing in full with the team, Bernard is expected to be out on the field against a suspect Saints defense.With Redmond and Malone effectively replacing Bernard and Price on the inactive list, that will lead to at least two things. For one, Trey Hopkins will start in place for Redmond at right guard. Hopkins proved he could play center if needed this season when he replaced Price, but Hopkins was a guard before he snapped for Andy Dalton. He has a chance to provide the Bengals with a temporary upgrade between Price and right tackle Bobby Hart.Malone’s absence will also ensure rookie wide receiver Auden Tate will be dressed for the first time in his professional career. Even with Green out, it wasn’t a guarantee that Tate would be active for the game, as Malone and Cody Core have been members of the active roster far longer that Tate has. Presumably Michael Jordan Cincinnati Bengals Jersey , Tate will remain behind both Core and Alex Erickson on the depth chart, but now that they have a chance to play him, it will be interesting to see how they use their 11th and final draft pick from this year.The Bengals are slowly but surely getting healthier as they enter the second half of the season. Hopefully it’s a trend that continues. The Bengals have struck gold in the later rounds of the draft before—who are some of the better value picks they’ve made?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBAThe Orange & Black InsiderNFL DraftAnalysisWho have been some of the Bengals’ biggest value draft picks?New,40commentsThe Bengals have struck gold in the later rounds of the draft before—who are some of the better value picks they’ve made?EDTShareTweetShareShareWho have been some of the Bengals’ biggest value draft picks?When it comes to the NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have had their share of struggles lately. The Marvin Lewis era brought about many more solid picks than that of “The Lost Decade” that preceded his arrival, but some recent early-round misses have crippled the team in its three-year downward spiral. Even so, the team has struck gold in the middle and late rounds to find some great values. Some of these players were utter surprises, in terms of their contributions, while others being valuable rotational players. The key for the Bengals to have early success in the Zac Taylor era is in their ability to find many immediate impact players in his first classes. A part of that formula is in their ability to find late diamonds in the rough. We discussed some past value picks on this week’s episode of The Orange and Black Insider. Of course, the definition of draft value varies from person to person, and respective impacts differ from player to player. Usually, we’re talking about players from day two or three, and those who range from the middle-to-late rounds. For instance, when you’re getting capable or outstanding starters in rounds three or four, that’s solid value. And, if you’re netting players who made Pro Bowls after being drafted as “camp bodies”, that’s even better. When we began kicking around names, most of the players who readily popped in our minds were from the Lewis era. It’s easy to start in that timeframe, as it was the most successful run, at least by some standards, by a Bengals head coach.Some of Marvin Lewis’ greatest value picks:Geno Atkins, defensive tackle Michael Jordan Jersey 2019 , 2010 fourth-round pick: This is perhaps the poster child of value picks, given that Atkins was a day three pick and has parlayed that into a potential Hall of Fame career. He’s been nominated to seven Pro Bowls, and has three All-Pro nods to his name. Frostee Rucker, defensive line, 2006 third-round pick: As of last season, this guy was still playing football, 13 years into his pro career. Rucker was another guy who was a standout rotational player, with many of his best years coming as a Bengal. Domata Peko, defensive tackle, 2006 fourth-round pick: He wasn’t a perfect nose tackle, but he made his share of big plays for the Bengals over the course of 11 seasons. He was still going at it in 2018 with the Broncos. Michael Johnson, defensive end, 2009 third-round pick: Johnson became a fan-favorite whipping boy later in his career, but he was a solid player for many years. Aside from the on-field play, he was known as a locker room leader. It’s unclear if he’ll be back with Cincinnati in 2019. Pat Sims, defensive tackle, 2008 third-round pick: He’s not a guy who received a lot of notoriety, but he did the dirty work in the middle of some of Cincinnati’s best defenses. Sims played 10 years in the league—eight with the Bengals. Bernard Scott, running back, 2009 sixth-round pick: The talented running back came with troubles in 2009, but as John Sheeran mentioned on our program, he contributed as a kick returner and runner. He lasted five years in the NFL. Marvin Jones Color Rush Michael Jordan Jersey , wide receiver, 2012 fifth-round pick: The electric wideout had some nice numbers with the Bengals, but unfortunately, some of his biggest stats have come in his current foray with the Lions. He hasn’t made a Pro Bowl, but has one 1,000-yard season and has averaged 5.5 touchdowns per season in his seven-year career.Clint Boling, offensive guard, 2011 fourth-round pick: The class that brought a great era of Bengals football had a steal to kick off day three. Boling’s versatility and toughness has anchored the team’s line since the departures of Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler. Jonathan Fanene, defensive lineman, 2005 seventh-round pick: What was it with Lewis and his ability to find quality defensive linemen throughout the draft? Fanene was never a star or a true starter, but was a valuable rotational piece who had an eight-year NFL career. Other value picks from different eras:Lemar Parrish, defensive back, 1970 seventh-round pick: It’s surprising that Parrish hasn’t had more run as a viable Hall of Fame cornerback, given his eight Pro Bowl berths. Six of those were with Cincinnati, but as athletic he was on defense, he was even more well-known for his kick return prowess. Ken Riley, defensive back, 1969 sixth-round pick: “The Rattler” anchored the other side of the defensive backfield with Parrish and many Bengals faithful believes he should be in Canton as well. Riley is fifth all-time in NFL interceptions. Tim Krumrie, defensive tackle, 1983 10th-round pick: The guy who seemingly eats bowls of thumbtacks for breakfast was the heart of Sam Wyche’s defenses. He was a two-time Pro Bowl player, and was an All-Pro designee in the team’s 1988 Super Bowl run.Bob Trumpy, tight end Cheap Michael Jordan Jersey , 1968 12th-round pick: It’s crazy to say, but Trumpy helped to revolutionize his position 51 years ago to what it has become today. He was a two-time Pro Bowl nominee and averaged 15.4 yards per catch in his career during an era of the NFL that was run-heavy. Rodney Holman, tight end, 1982 third-round pick: Speaking of tight ends, Holman was arguably the best the Bengals have ever had. He was truly a good all-around player at the spot, getting tabbed to three Pro Bowls. David Fulcher, safety, 1986 third-round pick: There aren’t many safeties in the game today with Fulcher’s build (6’3”, 236 pounds), and even fewer could do what he was able to for Cincinnati’s secondary. The most intimidating member of the team’s “SWAT Team” of the 1980s was nominated to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pros.T.J. Houshmandzadeh, 2001 seventh-round pick: Another poster boy for late-round success is “Housh”. He was one of the early pioneers of what today’s slot receiver looks like and was one of the tougher players in his generation.Who are some other best value picks by the Bengals over the years?If you’re unable to join us live for here at Cincy Jungle or YouTube every episode, all Orange and Black Insider content is available here on CJ, the Stitcher, Spotify and Google Play Music apps, our YouTube channel, as well as through Megaphone and, as always, on iTunes! You can tweet us @BengalsOBI or get in touch with us via email at theobinsider@gmail.com. Thanks for listening and go subscribe to our channels!
