Green’s big day carries Bengals
Bengals receiver A.J. Green followed his disappointing game with a dominating one — 173 yards and a touchdown — and the Cincinnati defense that was inspired by Vontaze Burfict’s return clamped down on the Miami Dolphins for a 22-7 victory Thursday night.
The Bengals (3-1) rebounded from a 29-17 home loss to Denver on Sunday with a solid allaround game against a depleted team. Green led the way, beating the Dolphins (1-3) on every type of route. He was upset with himself after he dropped a pivotal third-down pass and failed to make an impact against the Broncos.
During the first three quarters, Green had 166 yards on catches while Miami had 152 total yards. The Bengals’ season-long problem of stalling out near the goal line forced them to settle for Mike Nugent’s seasonhigh five field goals.
The Dolphins were missing four starting offensive linemen, two linebackers, running back Arian Foster and tight end Jordan Cameron.
Texans: A person familiar with J.J. Watt’s condition says Houston’s star defensive lineman had back surgery Thursday and it is expected to miss the rest of the season. It’s his second back surgery in two months after he missed training camp and Houston’s four preseason games after surgery in July to repair a herniated disk.
Browns: Josh Gordon isn’t going back on the field until he gets a tighter grip on his life. The suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver-said he’s entering rehab and putting his promising career on hold. Gordon was eligible to return from his latest four-game suspension next week and possibly play against New England on Oct. 9.
Cowboys: Randy Gregory has been suspended 10 games by the NFL on top of the four-game ban the Dallas defensive end was already serving for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Dez Bryant missed medical appointments and team meetings over two days away from the Cowboys this week. Coach Jason Garrett says the star receiver was trying to avoid bad news about his injured right knee. Garrett said Bryant missed an MRI on Monday and a team meeting on Tuesday before finally getting the exam Wednesday. The MRI revealed a hairline fracture in a bone in his right knee, which he injured in Sunday’s win over Chicago.
Washington: Rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson’s sore Achilles could sideline him for a couple of weeks, according to coach Jay Gruden, who said he’s “very” concerned.
Panthers: Ron Rivera says running back Jonathan Stewart will miss his second straight game this Sunday with a hamstring injury when the Carolina Panthers visit the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks: There is zero doubt in Russell Wilson’s mind that he’ll be able to play Sunday against the Jets. Wilson participated fully in practice with Seattle for a second consecutive day after suffering a sprained MCL last Sunday.
Miscellany: It’s official: Lady Gaga will headline the Super Bowl halftime show. The NFL and Pepsi announced that the pop star will take the stage Feb. 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston.