AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• According to the Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, the Bengals’ defense entered Monday’s game ready to “put some big hits” on WR JuJu Smith-Schuster regardless of his pre-game TikTok video.
• Kaboly adds that Cincinnati still harbored “bad feelings” from when the receiver laid a hard hit on former LB Vontaze Burfict back in 2017. 
• Per ESPN’s Ben Baby, Bengals HC Zac Taylor said RB Joe Mixon won’t play this week: “We’ll see about next week.”
• Bengals WR Tyler Boyd is in the concussion protocol. (Baby)
• Taylor told reporters the team will wait to see how QB Brandon Allen‘s knee is doing before making a determination on who starts between him and QB Ryan Finley. (Baby)

Browns

Despite having ten tackles, two pass deflections, and recovering an onside kick, Browns’ S Karl Joseph was still unsatisfied with his efforts against the Giants on Sunday night.

“I thought I made some plays to help our team win,” Joseph said, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.com. “Hopefully it is not my best game as a Brown. My focus and goal is always to continue to get better every week and keep raising the bar for myself and for our team.”

• Browns S Andrew Sendejo was cleared from the concussion protocol. (Mary Kay Cabot)
• Browns designated S Ronnie Harrison to return from injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Browns promoted G Michael Dunn to their active roster.

Ravens

• Per the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens HC John Harbaugh said DL Calais Campbell could have played last week against the Jaguars: “Short term and long term, I felt like (holding him out) was the best decision to make.” 
• Harbaugh added Campbell is “ready to go” this week against the Giants. 
• The Ravens are hosting LB Corey Thompson for a workout. (Aaron Wilson)
• Ravens signed LB James Crawford to their practice squad. (NFLTR)

Steelers

• Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said he’s worked all season to make sure his elbow doesn’t wear out and he doesn’t think that’s happening: “Feel fatigue, can’t make the throw. You’ll feel it. I haven’t felt that yet, so I guess that’s a positive.”
• Roethlisberger acknowledges he’s heard the narrative that he’s washed: “I don’t blame them. When you play like poo, you deserve to be talked about like that. … that’s on me, I need to be better.” (Pryor)
• Steelers activated LB Vince Williams from the COVID-19 list. (NFLTR)
• Steelers signed TE Kevin Rader to their practice squad. (NFLTR)
• Steelers released LS Christian Kuntz from their practice squad.