John Ross is expected to go Sunday for the first time in an NFL game.
LANDOVER, Md. _ With Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton expected to have almost all his weapons for Sunday's dress rehearsal third pre-season game, the defense is almost as healthy when they show down against Jay Gruden's men of Washington.
For unexplained reasons, starting tight end Tyler Eifert isn't expected to play. He was at all of last week's practices, but Tyler Kroft gets the start. So does Trey Hopkins at right guard instead of Andre Smith for the third straight game. First-rounder John Ross is also expected to make his NFL debut at wide receiver.
On defense, starting safety Shawn Williams (dislocated elbow) is out and so may be the other starting safety, George Iloka (knee). That would team back-up Clayton Fejedelem, starting his third straight game with Iloka out, with back-up Derron Smith.
Also expected not to play is back-up linebackers Hardy Nickerson (back) and P.J. Dawson (hand), as well as back-up tight end C.J. Uzomah (foot) and back-up rookie safety Brandon Wilson (knee).
Eifert, plagued by injuries all last season when he played just eight games, had back surgery after the season and missed all of the spring but has been full go since training camp.
