Andrew Billings got his first NFL start Sunday at nose tackle.
NASHVILLE _ Head coach Marvin Lewis' version of the 'Baby Bengals,' got even younger Sunday when rookie nose tackle Josh Tupou and rookie safety Brandon Wilson went from the practice squad to the active 46 overnight against the Titans and red-shirt rookie nose tackle Andrew Billings drew his first NFL start.
Also back in the lineup for his third NFL game was first-round pick John Ross after he sat last week in Jacksonville. Second-year safety Clayton Fejedelemmade his second NFL start with Shawn Williams (hamstring) inactive.
With starting nose tackle Pat Sims (hamstring) inactive, the 6-3, 350-pound Tupou figures to get a good number of snaps in his NFL debut along with Billings after he played a career-high 48 snaps last week in Jacksonville. The Titans have a solid running tandem in backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry and the Bengals sense another smash-mouth game like last week.
It looks like slot receiver Tyler Boyd (knee) will be ready to play in Denver next week. He was inactive Sunday but on Friday he was full for the first time in practice since he sprained his MCL Oct. 8. Also inactive were backup guards Alex Redmond and Christian Westerman as well as injured middle linebacker Kevin Minter (elbow). Cornerback KeiVarae Russell was inactive to make way for Wilson on special teams.
