The bullet has been dodged.
Quarterback Andy Dalton’s escape from Saturday’s touchdown sneak with merely a sore neck means the Bengals are going to be relatively healthy for the Sept. 13 opener in Oakland. Its doubtful many of the starters, if any, play in Thursday’s pre-season finale (7 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) in Indianapolis.
They could be healthier. Pro Bowl WILL linebacker Vontaze Burfict (knee) has yet to practice and all signs point to him starting the season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) with the plan that he be ready to play Nov.