Adam Jones had one called back last Sunday.
Bengals cornerback Adam Jones is walking around with a gleam in his eye this week. And not just because of Adam Bernard Jones, Jr., who turns a week old Saturday. Sure, his 55-yard punt return for a TD got called back last Sunday, but at age 34 and five years since his last one, he's feeling it back there.
"I think people get the point of the memo. I still got what I need back there," Jones said after Friday's practice. "I'm just waiting patiently and hopefully my time will come this week."
Both head coach Marvin Lewis and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said there was no illegal block penalty on rookie tight end Cethan Carter, and the league has apparently informed the club of the same.
"Sad," Jones said. "I didn't need the guy on that side."
Jones salutes Simmons' blocking schemes while noting he's averaging 21.8 per return his six returns with a 40-yarder. Sunday's return was as much for himself as the kid.
"I'm thinking getting something positive out of each one. Taking it up 10, 15 yards," Jones said. "I wanted that one for the records, too. I can't do it for him if I can't do it for myself. I'll make sure he remembers it."
Jones' next punt return TD is the sixth of his career, putting him one behind Darren Sproles for the active NFL lead. He's currently in a tie for second with Marcus Sherels, a guy he sees in a few weeks in Minnesota.
But the Steelers wait Monday night (8:30 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 5) at Paul Brown Stadium and all he says, is "Can't wait." He has noticed there has been some buzz coming out of Pittsburgh.
"With all the stuff that's been said, they're thinking about us," Jones said. "If that wasn't the case they wouldn't keep worrying about what we're doing over here."
MAGNA CHARTER: A.J. Green was under the weather Friday and was limited during practice, but he's ready to head home to Atlanta after Saturday's walk-through to watch alma mater Georgia played Auburn for the SEC title.
And he's bringing some alumni with him.
Practice over at 1:30 and the game at 4 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium? No problem when you can charter a jet and be home Saturday night in plenty of time for Sunday's walk-through. Green can thank the NFL for putting the Bengals on Monday night at home.
Green says he's footing most of the bill for his contingent that includes fellow Bulldogs Shawn Williams, Clint Boling, and Geno Atkins. No Auburn alums need show up.
"No, just Georgia guys," Green said of Carl Lawson, C.J. Uzomah, and Pat Sims …
INJURY UPDATE: It looks like these three guys are out for Monday after they didn't practice again Friday: linebackers Nick Vigil (ankle) and Vincent Rey (hamstring) and safety Shawn Williams (hamstring).
