BENGALS NOTEBOOK Both CB's may miss start Thursday, November 19, 1998
BY CHRIS HAFT and GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Starting at cornerback for the Bengals: Thomas Randolph and Roosevelt Blackmon?
That could be the tandem Cincinnati opens with Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens if Ashley Ambrose and Artrell Hawkins don't recover from their injuries quickly enough.
Ambrose (left knee) remained questionable and Hawkins (right ankle) was still probable, but trainer Paul Sparling said both may be downgraded today to doubtful and questionable, respectively. Ambrose and Hawkins, who have started every game this year, jogged Wednesday.
That was more than wide receiver Darnay Scott could do. Scott, plagued by a hyperextended left big toe - commonly known as "turf toe" - couldn't jog and remained questionable.
The outlook also looked dubious for defensive end Clyde Simmons, who was listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his left knee. Sparling said that Simmons, who had the knee drained and received an anti-inflammatory injection, might be able to resume practicing Friday.
Others on the injury list included linebacker Steve Foley (left ankle, doubtful); defensive lineman Glen Steele (left ankle, questionable); linebacker James Francis (right knee, probable), running back Eric Bieniemy (left ankle, probable) and long snapper Greg Truitt (left ankle, probable).
Copeland iffy
Defensive end John Copeland participated in his first practice of the season as a member of the Bengals' 53-man roster, but that doesn't mean he will play Sunday.
Though the six-year veteran has recovered from the torn left Achilles tendon he suffered April 15, even he doubts that he has regained his full effectiveness.
"With the time I've missed, it's pretty doubtful they'll activate me, but I'm hoping they will," Copeland said. "... When I make contact (with a lineman), that 'oomph' that you need - I don't have the strength in my left leg that I need right now."
Asked if Copeland would play Sunday, coach Bruce Coslet said, "Probably not."
Added Coslet, "He can run around; he has his quickness; and he can push off all right, but his job description is pushing against 350-pounders. That's not all that easy to do. I don't want him to play on one leg and maybe get hurt some other way."
President and General Manager Mike Brown expressed confidence that Copeland will play before the season ends but said, "I don't know if it'll be this week. We don't want to put him in there favoring his leg."
No sellout this week
The Bengals customarily do not announce how many tickets remain available for any game, club officials confirmed that Sunday's home date against Baltimore would not be a sellout, ending this season's streak of four consecutive packed houses.
Thus, Channel 12's telecast will be blacked out locally, assuming tickets remain available by 4:15 p.m. today.
More surgery?
Right guard Ken Blackman faces the possibility of a second surgery on his left knee. The procedure may prevent Blackman from playing before the start of next year's training camp.
Blackman was expecting to receive a second opinion on Friday.
Etc.
Upon further review, the sack that linebacker Adrian Ross received credit for at Minnesota last Sunday was given to teammate Reinard Wilson.
Safety and kick-return specialist Tremain Mack received a Jan. 5 trial date in Hamilton County Municipal Court for the DUI and resisting-arrest charges he faces stemming from an Oct. 13 incident.
Justin time for Bengals