The Bengals put four offensive linemen on the inactive list and pulled up a defensive lineman from the practice squad in the hours leading up to Sunday's game in Miami as the Dolphins announced rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the starter.
Kick returner Brandon Wilson (hamstring), who went in as questionable, was active after he went one day of practice last week during a full practice on Friday.
Rotational defensive end Amani Bledsoe went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie made the move from the practice squad to the active roster. Bledsoe has played 32 percent of the snaps, worked on 15 percent of the special teams plays and has brought some athleticism and speed to the mix. McKenzie has played in four games, but none since Oct. 15, and has played 57 snaps since the Bengals signed him and moved to him to defense from guard.
As expected, right guard Alex Redmond (concussion) was on the inactive list, along with fellow offensive linemen Fred Johnson, B.J. Finney and Keaton Sutherland. Kicker Austin Seibert was also inactive.
They didn't activate cornerback Darius Phillips from injured reserve after his first week of practice.
One report had the nod going to Tagovailoa over Ryan Fitzpatrick. That would prevents the Bengals from facing one of their former starting quarterbacks in back-to-back games. In Tua they would get a rookie this season for the first time, but both he and Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen would be making their fifth NFL starts.
