Andy Dalton, 19-13 in his first four seasons as a starting quarterback on the road, needs five more visiting victories this season to pass Dan Marino, Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Ryan for most road victories in his first five seasons since the 1970 merger.
A win in Sunday's opener in Oakland (4:25 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 12) pulls Dalton within one of Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, and Eli Manning, all tied with 21. Donovan McNabb rattled off 22 wins from 1999-2003.
"I think it comes down the mentality that we've gone into games with," Dalton said before Wednesday's practice. "It's that extra focus, making sure guys are all on the same page with everything, and we've been able to come out with some wins."
MIKE FULL GO:The good news for the Bengals is that right end Michael Johnson (knee) went in a full practice, according to head coach Marvin Lewis' first injury report of the season following Wednesday's practice.
The bad news, besides a downpour, is that starting safety Reggie Nelson (groin) left the field with a trainer early in practice. Rookie defensive tackle Marcus Hardison (knee) came off the field late in practice on a cart, but he did get off the cart to walk into the locker room.
Left end Carlos Dunlap didn't practice (illness) and SAM linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (hamstring) was limited.
Also not on the field was starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth (back), but it didn't appear to be a major issue because he went on the field to watch early in practice.
Cornerback Darqueze Dennard (groin), battling the injury since the pre-season opener, went limited, as did cornerback Leon Hall (back).
It's unclear if Johnson gets the call in Oakland even if he's full go since this is his first week back since spraining his MCL Aug. 2. Up to three defensive linemen could be inactive with Hardison possibly down no matter his status.
