Bengals looking thin at tight end

Four of the five options at tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals are on the team’s injury report Wednesday.

Tyler Eifert remains out with the back injury he suffered in Week 2 vs. Houston, while C.J. Uzomah and H-back Ryan Hewitt sat out with knee injuries sustained in Sunday’s 31-7 win at Cleveland. And Tyler Kroft, who set career highs in catches (six), yards (68) and touchdowns (two) was limited with due knee and neck injuries.

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That leaves undrafted rookie Cethan Carter as the only healthy tight end, although the fact that Kroft was at least limited means he should be available for Sunday’s home game against Buffalo.

In addition to Eifert, Hewitt and Uzomah, four other players missed practice Wednesday — wide receiver John Ross (knee), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (shin), linebacker Jordan Evans (hamstring) and safety Derron Smith (ankle).

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Ross, Uzomah and Evans were doing rehab on a side field.

Four others joined Kroft on the list of limited participants — cornerbacks Adam Jones (hip) and Dre Kirkpatrick (shoulder), wide receiver Brandon LaFell (knee) and quarterback AJ McCarron (Achilles).

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On the positive side of the injury front, guards Trey Hopkins (knee) and T.J. Johnson (neck) were both full participants. Hopkins has not played since suffering the knee injury in the season opener. Johnson, his replacement, suffered the neck injury Sunday against the Browns.

The Bills had three starters miss practice with injuries in wide receiver Jordan Matthews, safety Micah Hyde (knee) and linebacker Ramon Humber (thumb). Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and defensive tackle Kyle Williams received rest days, while tight end Charles Clay sat out with a “non-injury related” designation.

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Wide receiver Kaelin Clay (back), defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (ankle), cornerback E.J. Gaines (groin), tackle Cordy Glenn (foot/ankle), running back Taiwan Jones (knee) and defensive end Shaq Lawson (groin) were limited.

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