The five players ruled out Friday were linebackers Vontaze Burfict (concussion) and Nick Vigil (ankle), running back Joe Mixon (concussion), cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (concussion) and safety Shawn Williams (hamstring).
Cornerback Adam Jones (groin) also was ruled out before the team placed him on season-ending Injured Reserve on Saturday.
›› Bengals player talks about how Kaepernick inspired him
The four players listed as questionable who are expected to play today as the 5-9 Bengals try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against the Bears (3-9) are defensive tackle Geno Atkins (toe), cornerback Darqueze Dennard (knee), linebacker Vinny Rey (hamstring) and safety Brandon Wilson (ankle).
The expected changes to the starting lineup feature William Jackson and Dennard at cornerback for Jones and Kirkpatrick; rookie Jordan Evans as SAM linebacker for Vigil; Rey at WIL linebacker for Burfict; and Clayton Fejedelem for Williams at strong safety.
On offense, Giovani Bernard will start for Mixon.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Like our Cincinnati Bengals News Now Facebook page
Westerman, a fifth-round pick in 2016, has yet to appear in a game. He was inactive in all 16 games as a rookie and 13 of 14 this season. He was active Week 2 loss to Houston but did not play.
Inactive for the Bears will be starting linebacker Parnell McPhee, starting safeties Adrian Amos and Eddie Goldman, running back Taquan Mizzell, quarterback Mark Sanchez, cornerback DeAndre Houston-Carson, defensive lineman Eddie Goldman, offensive lineman Cameron Lee (a former Bengal).
About the Author