The recovery plan for CB Dre Kirkpatrick, the Bengals' first-round pick, was for him to be gradually eased into practice last week, then placed into a full workload this week. He was expected to see the first game action of his NFL career Thursday against Indianapolis.
Well, that was the plan. But plan hit a hitch Monday when Kirkpatrick sat out practice because of soreness in his injured knee.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis scaled back his expectations for Kirkpatrick's debut Thursday, now very much in doubt.
“I don't know what it is, he's sore,” Lewis said. “You got to treat the patient. I don't know (if he'll play) right now.”
Opportunity for Trevor Robinson: One of the closest roster battles in the final week will be on the back end of the offensive-line rotation. Undrafted free agent Trevor Robinson worked his way up as the backup to center Kyle Cook, but Cook injured his foot against Green Bay and won't play Thursday, according to Lewis. The coach also couldn't confirm Cook's status for the opener at Baltimore.
Thus, Robinson slides in with the first team and has an opportunity to make his case for a roster spot.
“He's done a great job,” Lewis said of the four-year starter at Notre Dame. “Twenty percent of the National Football League is undrafted every year when you look at the final rosters. He's one of those good stories. Coach (Brian) Kelly couldn't have spoke higher of the guy when we went to Notre Dame.”
Final cut: The Bengals cut undrafted WR Kashif Moore on Monday to trim the roster to the 75-man limit. Moore wasn't a surprise. The Connecticut product made minimal contributions in practice and only caught one pass for three yards this preseason.
Burfict not thinking cuts: Vontaze Burfict hopes to land on the 53-man roster as his breakout preseason wraps Thursday. He's drawn praise from Lewis and worked into a battle with Roddrick Muckelroy for the position backing up Rey Maualuga.
He's actively choosing to think as little about Friday's cuts as possible and concern himself more with leaving a final impression Thursday. That said, he knows what he's proven to this point. When asked if he felt he's done enough to make the team, he didn't hide his answer.
“Kind of,” he said. “There's more to come. If I really get the defense down how Rey (Maualuga) has it down, I can show more improvement.”
Allen frustrated with absence: CB Jason Allen only missed two games in his six-year career with Miami and Houston.
In his first preseason with the Bengals, he's yet to touch the field due to a leg injury. Lewis joked he has to hide Allen's helmet to keep him out of practice. Watching his team from the sidelines for the first time, particularly one he wants to make a positive impression on, is beginning to wear on the veteran.
“It’s very frustrating,” Allen said. “Any time you can’t actually get the physical experience on the field, you’re losing ground to a certain extent. I just try to take my time and spend it on watching film and breaking down the guys that I have to go against.”
Allen holds out hope he can suit up for the season opener at Baltimore. If that happens, he could take the field without owning any snaps with his teammates, but it's not a huge concern for Allen.
“I’ve been doing this long enough where I feel like if I didn’t play in the preseason, I could be ready to go (for Game 1 of the regular season),” he said.
Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLCIN.