Bengals hoping to give Christmas gift
TE Tyler Eifertworks out on side for second straight practice.
What’s the best CINCINNATI— gift the Bengals can give fans for Christmas?
Cornerback Adam Jones said a win in Denver onMonday night would be a good start.
“You said ‘for Christmas’ — you didn’t say for the whole year,” Jones saidWednesday when asked if that was it. “Of course, we want to win a Super Bowl, but that starts off this week, sowe have to take care of one game at a time.”
The Bengals (11-3) travel to Denver (10-4) for aMonday night game that could determine the AFC’s No. 2 seed, but they’ll get a day off today for Christmas.
Because the team is on the road this weekend, some players won’t be seeing family until the following week when the
Bengals wrap up the regular season at home against Baltimore; however, the extra day in the practice week allows players and coaches time to celebrate the holiday as they wish.
“My whole family is coming up, but it’s all about my girls,” Jones said. “I’m not giving myself nothing this Christmas. I’m going to wait.”
When asked what he plans to get himself, Jones said with a laugh, “A contract hopefully. That would be good.” Jones is one of several players in the Bengals secondary nearing the end of a contract.
Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is looking forward to the “southern hospitality” his mom will be bringing to Christmas when she and other family members visit from Alabama.
“It’s just time with family and a lot of good food,” he said.
Wide receiver Marvin Jones also has family, like his younger brother, visiting from out of town, but as Adam Jones said, Christmas is all about his three kids.
“It’s hard to go all out for them when they have so much stuff, but we’ve got something special planned for them at the house,” Marvin Jones said. “They will love it.”
Among those enjoying a low-key holiday, defensive end Wallace Gilberry said he will use the day off to “get the body right and mentally hone in,” but he added he is excited to see his family next week.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said he doesn’t have any special plans for Christmas but when asked if he has anything on his Christmas list, he joked “it comes after Christmas.” The Bengals have already secured a playoff berth but have bigger goals, as Lewis has noted in the past.
Several players also have spent time this week spreading some Christmas cheer and trying to give to others in the local community.
On Monday night, defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, defensive tackle Brandon Thompson and rookie linebacker P.J. Dawson rented out Gameworks at Newport on Levee and treated 150 children to a night of entertainment and a chance to meet Santa.
Johnson posted a photo to his Twitter account after the event and wrote, “The smiles are priceless.”
Nose tackle Domata Peko said he, his wife and a few other players were going to be passing out winter-weather supplies, such as hats and blankets, and toiletry items in Over-the Rhine on Wednesday evening.
“It’s been pretty great around here, but I know winter is coming,” Peko said. “It’s just a way to give back.”
Injury report: Tight end Tyler Eifert (concussion) worked on the side for the second day in a row Thursday, leaving open the possibility of him playing Monday night at Denver. The Bengals will not practice today, so Saturday will be the next to test for Eifert in clearing the league’s concussion protocol.
Also missing practice Thursday was safety George Iloka (groin), while linebackers Emmanuel Lamur (hamstring) and Vinny Rey (hamstring) were limited.
Tackle Jake Fisher (concussion) was a full participant for the first time since Dec. 10.
Roster move: The Bengals waived rookie cornerback Troy Hill on Thursday and signed cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris from the practice squad. Lewis-Harris has played in five games this season.