AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• Bengals HC Zac Taylor said of possibly making changes to the offensive line: “Nothing’s off the table. That’s for certain.” (Ben Baby)
• Taylor said he “thinks there’s a chance” that DT Geno Atkins could make his debut on Week 3. (Ben Baby)
• As for WR Auden Tate‘s inactive status for Thursday’s game, Taylor said: “It’s a tough decision… When you have seven receivers and you have some injuries on defense, that’s just the way it shakes out.” Taylor did, however, praise Tate and said he won’t always be inactive this season. (Ben Baby)
• Taylor said of WR John Ross: “We still have faith in John. He still has a role for us.” (Ben Baby)
• Taylor was asked if DT Geno Atkins (shoulder) will play in Week 3: “We’ll see. I think there’s a chance. You can’t make that prediction. We’re still 10 days out from a game. We’ll continue to monitor him this week and see how it goes.” (Tyler Dragon)
• Ben Baby believes that both parties could benefit if the Bengals were to trade C Billy Price, who was replaced as a starter by OL Fred Johnson ahead of Thursday’s game
• Baby adds that it would give Price a fresh start and the Bengals could “maximize a key asset” as Price was a former first-round pick.
• Dan Graziano of ESPN mentions Bengals WRs A.J. Green and John Ross as a potential trade candidate to watch in the coming weeks, depending on how their season plays out.

Browns

No receiver in the NFL deals with as much scrutiny as WR Odell Beckham, who “wants to get back at” his critics.

“I think that’s something that I definitely struggle with – finding a way to combat analysts or the ones who get up on TV and who have a big platform to go and talk and say whatever and speak opinionated information as if it’s factual,” Beckham said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Yes, I do want to get back at them. Yes, I do wish I knew the way, and I know one way is just straight winning. I’m definitely happy. My mind, my spirit, my soul – everything’s been great. I’m in the best place I’ve been in in my life. I’m just ready. Like I said, I’m hungry. I want it that bad, and I just want to be a part of special and be a part of something great. That’s really everything for me right now. Even then, they’re going to have something to say and a problem. But once you win, there’s not really anything you can say. I’m not going to sit here and try and prove to you who I am. I am who I am. I am a good person. I’m a good dude.”

• Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday that “it’s possible” they could get several guys back in practice next week including CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), LB Mack Wilson (knee), and CB Kevin Johnson (liver) who are “all heading in the right direction.” (Jake Trotter)
• Browns’ DE Adrian Clayborn recorded a sack against the Bengals on Thursday night before leaving the game with a hip injury. 
• Dan Graziano of ESPN expects Browns WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry to come up as potential trade candidates if Cleveland’s season collapses.

Ravens

• Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley (hip) will start barring any setback while DL Justin Madubuike and WR Chris Moore are expected to miss second straight games. (Jamison Hensley)
• The Ravens will likely promote S Jordan Richards to their active roster to help their special teams unit. 
• OUT for Week 2: DT Justin Madubuike (knee), WR Chris Moore (finger)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 2: RB Justice Hill (thigh), CB Jimmy Smith (hip), T Ronnie Stanley (hip)

Steelers

• Gerry Dulac writes that the Steelers could be forced to start rookie G Kevin Dotson in Week 2 with David DeCastro still hampered with a knee injury and Stefen Wisniewski expected to be out for at least a couple games with a pectoral injury.
• Tom Pelissero reports that Wisniewski’s pectoral injury doesn’t require surgery and he should be able to return this season. 
• Another option would be to play J.C. Hassenauer over Dotson.
• OUT for Week 2: G David DeCastro (knee), G Stefen Wisniewski (chest)