Key players to return for winless Bengals, Browns

From wire dispatches

An in-state NFL rivalry pitting distant neighbor against neighbor has lost its bite.

Cincinnati vs. Cleveland is more of a professional pillow fight these days. The battle of 0-hio. Lumped together at the bottom of the AFC North’s standings, the Bengals (0-3) and Browns (0-3) both enter Sunday’s matchup winless and desperate to salvage seasons that are quickly slipping away.

They haven’t both been without a win after three games since their matchup in 2008, when Cleveland rolled into Paul Brown Stadium and pulled out a 20-12 victory.

Both teams hope to get help on defense.

Browns rookie defensive end and top overall draft pick Myles Garrett could make his debut after missing three games with a sprained ankle.

He practiced Thursday for the first time in three weeks.

And the Bengals will get bad-boy linebacker Vontaze Burfict back for the game.

He’ll return after serving his latest three-game suspension for an illegal hit.

Packers

Green Bay and Chicago Bears players, coaches and other staffers locked arms on the sidelines during the national anthem Thursday night. Many fans at Lambeau Field cheered and chanted “USA! USA!” while a large American flag was unfurled at midfield before the anthem. Packers players released a statement this week saying they would intertwine arms before the game as a show of unity. They asked fans to join in the stands and at home, though it didn’t appear that many fans locked arms. Many people in the crowd held up small flags during and after the anthem.

Vikings

Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford has been ruled out of the game again this week because of lingering soreness in his left knee, meaning Case Keenum will make his third consecutive start. Bradford hasn’t practiced for a week. Coach Mike Zimmer said again Thursday surgery is not needed, only rest. The Vikings are host to the Detroit Lions Sunday.