10-14-01, 11:45 p.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes missed the first game of his career Sunday to be with his family after the death of his father.
Jimmy Spikes lost a 10-month battle with brain cancer Friday and Spikes returned home to Sandersville, Ga., this weekend.
Spikes, who had made 52 straight starts, was replaced by Adrian Ross in the lineup at right outside linebacker. Ross had a hamstring injury after last Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, but practiced later in the week and is starting his 16th game in four seasons.