It doesn't appear that Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert's return is coming on the national stage Thursday night when on Wednesday the Bengals listed him as doubtful for the game (8:25-Cincinnati's Channel 12 and NFL Network) against the Dolphins.
Also not looking good is starting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (hamstring), listed as doubtful after not working at all following Sunday's game against Denver. Backup safety Derron Smith (chest), a special teams staple, is questionable after working for the first time Wednesday in limited fashion.
Kirkpatrick has played in 46 straight games with his last miss coming in the fourth game of 2013. Josh Shaw or Darqueze Dennard figures to move out of the slot to start. It would be Shaw's fourth NFL start (third this season) and Dennard's second, his first since the game he blew out his shoulder in Arizona back on Nov.22.
The most intriguing development for the Dolphins is that their backup center, Anthony Steen (ankle) is listed as doubtful. If he doesn't play they're down to their third center.
