Cincinnati Bengals
Notes: Peko out `a couple weeks'
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted December 7, 2009 4:52 PM ET
Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He will likely miss "a couple weeks," coach Marvin Lewis said.
Running back Bernard Scott is expected to miss a second consecutive game because of a turf toe injury, Lewis said. But safety Chris Crocker should not miss any more time due to the right ankle injury he suffered Sunday.
"Everybody else will be likely to play," Lewis said.
Crocker left the game during the second series Sunday. He returned for one more play and was beaten by Lions receiver Calvin Johnson for a 54-yard touchdown. Crocker did not play again Sunday, but Lewis said every test of the ankle showed no significant injury, so he should be available this week.
Domata Peko
Peko injured his right knee during the loss to Oakland on Nov.22. He played the following week against Cleveland, but the knee apparently got worse last week. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, then showed up Friday on crutches. He did not play Sunday against Detroit.
"Sometimes the different scans show different things," Lewis said. "So they did another scan last week and felt like probably the thing to do was to go in and scope it and he would recover quicker."
Pat Sims started at defensive tackle in Peko's absence, and Orien Harris served as the backup. The three-man rotation of Peko, Sims and Tank Johnson is a major reason why the Bengals have the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL -- and the second-ranked defense against the run, allowing 81.8 rushing yards per game.
A NOISY PLACE -- Quarterback Carson Palmer has never played in the Metrodome, but he understands the challenge it will pose Sunday when the Bengals play the Vikings. As the crowd's intensity builds, the sound is amplified and communication becomes difficult.
"It's something we definitely have to get cleaned up this week," Palmer said. "We've had little issues with it different weeks -- not consistently, but certain games we've had issues with it. So it's something we have to look at and figure out exactly what we're going to do."
The Bengals are the fourth-most penalized team in the NFL. They have had a particular problem with false starts and holding penalties on offense.
The trip to Minnesota could be a playoff primer in multiple ways. In addition to facing a playoff-caliber opponent in the 10-2 Vikings, the Metrodome noise could present a practice run for a possible postseason game in Indianapolis.
"We'll see how well we fight together when we're the only people pulling for us," Palmer said. "It's a lot different when you're in a hostile environment, and San Diego will be the same way; there will be a lot riding on that game. When your back is against the wall and the only people pulling for you are the people on your sideline, it makes you really come together as a team. We've done a good job of that in different situations."
DEPTH ON DISPLAY -- All eight offensive linemen who dressed Sunday saw action on offense, as did kick returner Quan Cosby, who played a few snaps at receiver. Rookie Tom Nelson held his own in place of Crocker.
"That's been big," Lewis said. "I think for the football team it gives guys something to look forward to. Coming in here, they know if they handle their snaps correctly they get an opportunity to play more and more and more."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News
Tags: Bernard Scott, Chris Crocker, Domata Peko
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