It looks like quarterback Brandon Allen (knee) can play Sunday in Houston (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Fox 19), but if he starts he won't have leading receiver Tyler Boyd.
After Friday's Christmas afternoon practice, Boyd (concussion) was ruled out to put his bid for three straight 1,000-yard season in serious jeopardy. Boyd, their leading receiver with 840 yards, has just one game left if healthy for the Jan. 3 finale against the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium.
Also declared out were linebackers Logan Wilson (ankle) and Jordan Evans (hamstring) and offensive lineman B.J. Finney (abdomen). As head coach Zac Taylor said Thursday, cornerback, Darius Phillips (limited Friday with a knee issue) is expected to play despite missing practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Allen hooked up with Boyd for the longest play of his three starts, that 72-yard screen pass for a touchdown in Miami. Before Allen hurt his knee scrambling in the fourth quarter a week later against Dallas, Boyd again had the Bengals' longest play with a 21-yard catch.
Allen went full Friday for the second day in a row, but Taylor has not revealed a starter after Ryan Finley played in his place Monday night in the win over the Steelers.
Wilson won't play for the second week in a row and on Monday night Evans pitched in with 11 snaps, second most of the year for him next to the dozen he had against Jacksonville. In both wins Evans had a turnover with an interception against the Jags and a fumble recovery against the Steelers. Rookie backer Markus Bailey had a season-high nine snaps Monday and now figures to get more in Houston.
