Updated: 1:30 p.m.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said after left end Carlos Dunlap injured his knee in the Aug. 10 preseason opener that it was a four-week injury. With Saturday the last practice before Monday night's regular-season opener, Dunlap said before the workout he's "close as can be."
Although he says his rehab is ahead of schedule and that he wants to prove Lewis's estimate wrong, Dunlap has yet to practice this week and that would point to him being inactive. But he said at Saturday's practice he planned to go through rehab "and see what they say" after that.
Stiill, when the Bengals injury report came out after practice it said he didn't work and was doubtful. Same with running back Bernard Scott (hand), who is all but assured of joining Dunlap and rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Monday night's inacive list.
Cornerback Jason Allen (quad) looks headed that way, too. After being limited Friday, he rode the exercise bike but didn't work Saturday and is questionable. No. 2 tight end Donald Lee (thigh) was limited until Saturday, when he went full go, and is probable.
Dunlap looked good nine days ago, when he did his first set of agility drills before the preseason finale in Indianapolis.
"I'm farther along now. It seems to be responding pretty well. I haven't had any setbacks," Dunlap said. "That why I feel like I'm on track where I want to be. I'm a little bit ahead of schedule where the doctors were predicting. Marvin has his own prediction. He's not a medical doctor."
As Dunlap tries to prove him wrong, Lewis has praised him by saying "the new Carlos Dunlap" is doing things the right way to get back.
"Being three years in I have a better feel of what you can do to help benefit yourself," Dunlap said. "I understand how the little things make a difference."
Dunlap began the practice in shorts on the side working with rehab director Nick Cosgray.
WEATHER CHECK: It sounds like perfect weather in Baltimore. The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio is calling for no chance of rain, temperatures in the upper 60s and winds out of the north at 10 miles per hour.
