AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals’ WR A.J. Green was unable to catch most of his targets against the Browns, but says that he is still learning to trust his previously injured ankle.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t think about it the first game,” Green said, via Ben Baby of ESPN. “For me, it’s just going out there and having full confidence in myself that I’m not going to get hurt again. Each week, I get better and better and more comfortable. I knew there were going to be growing pains, but I want to be great and I accept the challenge. For me, all I know is to keep working, and I know I’ll get better each week.”

Bengals’ HC Zac Taylor still has confidence in Green and notes that he has had limited time to put it all together this season.

“A.J. has probably had four practices leading up to that last game [against the Browns],” Taylor said. “It will be good for anybody, whether you’re an All-Pro player or not, to be able to get on the field, get that rhythm and communication with the quarterback.”

• Bengals HC Zac Taylor said of DT Geno Atkins: “He feels better every day, just not quite ready to play in a game yet.” (Tyler Dragon)
• OUT for Week 3: DT Geno Atkins (shoulder)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 3: DT Mike Daniels (groin, not injury related), S Shawn Williams (calf)

Browns

Browns’ WR Odell Beckham isn’t concerned about his stats this season, as long as the team is able to win on a weekly basis by leaning on their strong ground attack led by running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

“For me, one of my biggest growths has come in acceptance in a sense and for me knowing it’s probably not going to be that kind of season [with huge numbers],” Beckham said, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Like I always say, my goal is always going to be my goal, and I don’t feel like I’m ever going to fall short of it. Like I said, learning and acceptance, so you set new goals. Having a game within a game, working on a release during a run game or working something else, a new goal — aside from winning always. Nick Chubb needs to be the No. 1 rusher in the league or Kareem, too. You have two legitimate No. 1 backs in the backfield, and our team is very, very, very good at running the football, so you have to play to your strengths. Then I think you learn where you fit in and where you’re able to make your plays and how you can help the team. I think a lot of my growth came in acceptance, acceptance of life and acceptance of things and just knowing that’s what it’s going to be and finding a way to create that block that springs (Chubb) or whatever it is to help us win.”

• OUT for Week 3: LB Jacob Phillips (knee), DE Olivier Vernon (abdomen), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 3: DE Adrian Clayborn (hip), CB Denzel Ward (groin), LB Mack Wilson (knee)

Steelers

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin made it clear that he isn’t worried about the lack of production from TE Eric Ebron in the early part of the season. 

“Keep watching,” Tomlin said, via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “That’s all I can say to that. . . . A two-game body of work is not a big enough sample to assess. We are pleased with the development of Ebron and his role within our system, and time will tell that story as we proceed.”

• OUT for Week 3:
• DOUBTFUL for Week 3:
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 3: