AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

From a team-building perspective, it makes some sense for the Bengals to trade WR A.J. Green despite the fact he’s one of the best receivers to ever play in Cincinnati. The 31-year-old receiver is entering the final year of his contract and has dealt with numerous injuries in recent seasons. With the 0-5 Bengals not looking like contenders anytime soon, the draft picks or players they could receive in exchange for Green could be more valuable in the future. However, Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick says the impact on the locker room of trading a player like Green shouldn’t be discounted. 

“It better not happen. It’s going to fall apart if you do that,” Kirkpatrick said via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “That’s our best player on the team. He’s not even out there. We don’t know how the team really should look. They can’t do that. I’m a team player first. I rally around my guys. That would really hurt my spirit if he walked out this door . . . I want everybody to stay. I want to win here. I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m not just a player for the Bengals. I do things in the community. A lot of guys in here do.”

• Green will not return to practice this week and is out for Week 6. (Geoff Hobson)
• According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Bengals could look to move on from 2018 first-round C Billy Price, who’s lost competitions to start at both center and guard.  
• Barnwell identifies the Chiefs as a potential fit if Cincinnati were to shop Price. 
• Benglas WR Alex Erickson is also in the concussion protocol. (Ben Baby)

Browns

• According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, if the Redskins change their mind on moving OT Trent Williams, the team that makes the most sense is the Browns dealing a first-round pick for Williams. 
• Browns WR Rashard Higgins is expected to miss his fourth game with a knee injury. (Mary Kay Cabot)
• Browns activated WR Antonio Callaway from the exempt list. (NFLTR)

Ravens

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Ravens S Earl Thomas will not be suspended for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers QB Mason Rudolph that knocked him out of the game with a concussion. The play will be reviewed for a potential fine.
• Thomas said he didn’t intentionally try to hurt Rudolph: “I didn’t go high. I didn’t intentionally try to hurt him. I’m worried about him. I heard he’s at the hospital. My prayers go out to him and his family. I’ve never tried to hurt anybody. At the end of the day, guys have families.” (Jeff Zrebiec)
• Ravens HC John Harbaugh says S Tony Jefferson has more than just ACL damage in his knee. (Zrebiec)
• However, he adds Jefferson is more than capable of returning to play at his former level: “He’ll come back stronger than ever.” (Zrebiec)
• The Ravens plan to keep increasing the load for third-round rookie DE Jaylon Ferguson who had 21 snaps Sunday. (Zrebiec)
• Harbaugh mentioned first-round rookie WR Marquise Brown‘s injury is “nothing serious,” while TE Mark Andrews is still dealing with a foot injury that has caused him to miss practices and parts of games. (Zrebiec)

Steelers

• Adam Schefter reports that Steelers QB Mason Rudolph was allowed to go home from the hospital tonight after suffering a concussion during Sunday’s game. 
• According to Schefter, Rudolph now is resting at home and will be in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
• Rudolph was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation after leaving the game. 
• According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Steelers could look into trading CB Artie Burns, who’s played only a handful of snaps so far this season, to the Dolphins in exchange for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in addition to swapping late-round picks.
• Fitzpatrick would give the Steelers a reliable backup and potential starter if Rudolph is either injured or falters, while Miami gets to try out a former first-round defensive back.