Bengals rookie wide receiver John Ross got the nod on the active list Sunday for the second time in his career when head coach Marvin Lewis handed in his active sheet at Paul Brown Stadium against a Colts team ranked next to last in the NFL against the pass.
Ross, the club's No.1 draft pick back in April, played just five snaps in his NFL debut back on Sept. 14 and has been out since with a knee issue. With slot receiver Tyler Boyd (knee) and back-up wide receiver Cody Core (concussion) on the inactive list, he should get more than five snaps. It should also be a day where Ross and fourth-rounder Josh Malone get their first NFL catches. Malone made his pro debut last Sunday in Pittsburgh but his one target was intercepted.
Middle linebacker Kevin Minter (elbow) was out and Vincent Rey drew the start, his fourth of the season. Ryan Hewitt (knee) was out for the third straight game with C.J. Uzomah expected to start with Tyler Kroft in double tight end sets. With starting cornerback Adam Jones returning after missing last week with a back injury, cornerback KeiVarae Russell joined guards Alex Redmond and Christian Westerman on the inactive list.
