CINCINNATI -- The Baltimore Ravens have talked all week about expecting Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green to play this Sunday. Friday's injury report suggests Green will miss his third consecutive game with turf toe.
Green is listed as doubtful as the Bengals (3-2-1) attempt to get their first win in the month of October against the AFC North division-leading Ravens (5-2). Green has not practiced this week, although he has progressed to the point where he has been doing agility drills on the side with trainers.
Head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters after practice Friday that Green looked better this week.
The Ravens won't mind if Green doesn't suit up. He's caught a touchdown pass in three straight games against Baltimore, including a game-winning 77-yard touchdown pass in a season-opening 23-16 win at M&T Bank Stadium. All three touchdowns were for more than 50 yards.
Linebacker Rey Maualuga was ruled out earlier this week with a hamstring injury but defensive tackle Brandon Thompson has a shot at returning for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 2 against Atlanta. He is listed as questionable but has participated in practice all three days this week at least on a limited basis.
Ten players are listed as probable: running back Giovani Bernard (ribs), tight end Kevin Brock (neck), linebacker Vontaze Burfict (neck), defensive end Robert Geathers (toe), linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (shoulder), defensive end Wallace Gilberry (eye), cornerback Leon Hall (back), offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse (back), offensive lineman Mike Pollak (knee) and right tackle Andre Smith (shoulder).
Bernard and Hall both had full participation Friday after being limited on Thursday.
Burfict left last Sunday's 27-0 loss at Indianapolis in the first quarter after hurting his neck while tackling quarterback Andrew Luck. He also has had two concussions this season. Burfict's tackling technique, in which he too often leads with his head, has come has been a contributing factor to his injuries this season. He has started and finished just one game this season, against Carolina two weeks ago.
"He's got to get it right. He can't keep coming out of games," defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said this week. "Like I told him: It's ridiculous. When I'm counting on him to play, he's got to keep his face up. It's improving."
The Ravens will be without tight end Owen Daniels, who underwent an arthroscopic knee procedure and was ruled out of the game on Friday by head coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore lost Dennis Pitta to the injured reserve earlier this season with a hip injury. Rookie Crocker Gillmore is expected to start in place of Daniels.
