Bengals vs. Colts: Wildcard Inactives
Cincinnati Bengals:
- A.J. McCarron, QB
- A.J. Green, WR
- C. Lewis-Harris, CB
- D. Still, DT
- J. Gresham, TE
- J. Wright, WR
Indianapolis Colts
- Z. Kerr, NT
- H. Muamba, LB
- S. Price, CB
- J. Brown, DB
Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts free safety Sergio Brown (38) and cornerback Vontae Davis (21) defend a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defeated the Bengals 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
No real surprises here except for Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham. The 5th-year tight end was listed as “questionable” all week, and even participated in Friday’s practice on a limited basis. Gresham has been dealing with a back issue this week, and apprently, he couldn’t get it loosened up enough to feel comfortable.
On the season, Gresham has 62 receptions for 460 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. According to ProFootballFocus, he’s been the best tight end in pass blocking this season in the NFL with a +2.8 overall grade. Additionally, in the two team’s Week 7 matchup, he had a team-high 10 receptions for 48 receiving yards.
With the team already losing its best receiver in A.J. Green, Gresham’s absence comes as another significant blow to the Bengals’ offense. The team will be leaning even more heavily on the legs of Jeremy Hill.
For the Colts, it’s a bit interesting to see Zach Kerr‘s name as perpetually inactive. Kerr has shown flashes of enormous potential, but like most rookies, has been a bit up and down in his play. It could be simply a numbers game right now for Kerr along the team’s defensive line.