The Bengals have been hit hard by injuries at linebacker, running back, safety and wide receiver.
The situation forced them into more moves Tuesday, when they placed linebacker Lemar Marshall (torn Achilles' tendon) on the injured reserve list and claimed linebacker Corey Mays off waivers from New England.
Mays, a second-year NFL player from Notre Dame whose contract runs through this year, played in the Patriots' season opener and made one tackle on special teams. He was inactive for Games 2 and 3 and was waived prior to Monday's game against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Bengals' run defense has been hurt because of the problems at linebacker, where projected preseason starters Rashad Jeanty (calf) and Ahmad Brooks (groin) have missed four and two games, respectively.
In the 34-13 loss to New England Monday night, rookie safety Chinedum Ndukwe and end Robert Geathers played some snaps at linebacker. At the end of the night, the Bengals' only healthy linebackers were Dhani Jones, whom they signed two weeks ago, and Anthony Schlegel, who was picked up in early September off waivers from the Jets.
The Enquirer - Health has become an early sore spot