Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor still has faith in his team after back-to-back one-score losses to the Steelers and Jaguars.

“I am allowed to see the silver lining, and that this team’s got a lot of fight,” Taylor said, via CLNS’ Mike Petraglia. “And if I get this team for 14 more weeks, 13 more weeks, whatever it is, I’m signing up for that all day because we’re gonna have a great year. We had opportunities there. I think we’re going to look back tomorrow and be upset with ourselves.”

Ravens

• Ravens HC Jesse Minter on whether QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) will start Sunday night at the Falcons: “I don’t know the chances yet. I don’t think it’s going to be crazy long-term.” (Jamison Hensley)
• Minter said that “it’s possible” that rookie RB Adam Randall and CB Bilhal Kone will return to practice this week, but that will be part of the roster discussions. (Jeff Zrebiec)

Steelers

While reporters didn’t ask QB Aaron Rodgers any questions about his heated, expletive exchange caught on a live mic with HC Mike McCarthy, McCarthy continued to field questions about the incident on Monday, noting that he and Rodgers have spoken “numerous times” since.

“I wouldn’t classify it as normal,” McCarthy said, via Pro Football Talk. “But I think the reality of it is, you know, it’s a 20-year relationship. I think the fact that we were able to sit and talk numerous times, you know, over the weekend, about that and a number of things. As I stated, I’m — hopefully, not to put any pressure on my daughter — I’m getting to grandfather age. You know, I don’t want to be saying those type of words. But it’s an emotional, competitive environment. I think it’s something that we can definitely learn from.”

• McCarthy said S DeShon Elliott is getting close to returning and had a really good workout last Wednesday. (Nick Farabaugh)
• McCarthy also feels S Robert Spears-Jennings is ready to take on a larger role on defense: “He’s another young man who is champing at the big, and I see him getting more opportunities moving forward.” (Farabaugh)