SEATTLE - The Bengals went big heading into Sunday's opener at CenturyLink Field to defend the Seahawks' defending No. 1 running game in the NFL.
They opted to dress two back-up nose tackles in three-year veteran Josh Tupou and rookie Renell Wren, the massive 6-5, 318-pounder out of Arizona State they took in the fourth round. That meant two ends, Jordan Willis and Andrew Brown, were inactive.
Other than that and No. 3 quarterback Jake Dolegala, the inactive list was dictated by injuries: wide receivers A.J. Green (ankle) and Auden Tate (knee), left tackle Cordy Glenn (concussion) and running back Trayveon Williams (foot).
Wren made for six rookies active and two starters in left guard Michael Jordan and wide receiver Damion Willis. The others were linebacker Germaine Pratt, tight end Drew Sample and back-up quarterback Ryan Finley.
In last year's opener, the Bengals dressed four and two were starters, center Billy Price and safety Jessie Bates. Three, Tate, running back Mark Walton and linebacker Malik Jefferson didn't dress. On Sunday, the two that weren't active were Dolegala and Trayveon Williams.
Green, still in a boot, made the trip.
The Seahawks surprisingly de-activated end Ziggy Ansah, but the other end, the newly-acquired Jadeveon Clowney, was active.
