Ron Dugans (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The season-ending injury to receiver Darnay Scott has changed the Bengals' plans for rookie receiver Ron Dugans.

        In an attempt to get their best players on the field more often, the team moved Peter Warrick to strong-side receiver — Scott's old position — and made James Hundon the starter on the weak side.

        Dugans is Hundon's backup and is no longer playing behind Warrick. The two were teammates at Florida State.

        And though Warrick has received much of the attention in training camp, Dugans has quietly impressed teammates and coaches, even though he's healing slowly from a strained ham string.

        Quarterback Akili Smith likes what he sees from the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Dugans.

        “You could tell that they come from a great program,” Smith said of the Florida State tandem. “You can just see it — the way they run routes, the way they present their hands when the ball is coming, the way they come back to the ball.”

        There is a major difference between Dugans and Warrick.

        “The only thing Peter has over Dugans is the YAC, yards after the catch,” Smith said. “When Peter gets that ball, he's ready to make a move, make some cutbacks. Other than that, Dugans is real good.”

        BRAHAM IMPROVING: Center Rich Braham, who had the bursa sac removed from his knee, said Wednesday that doctors have cleared him to play in the regular-season opener Sept.10 against the Browns.

        KILLER BEES: Five players whose last names begin with B are out for the Atlanta game Friday: Rich Braham (knee), Tom Barndt (chest), Michael Basnight (wrist), Michael Bankston (knee) and Alan Buckwalter (hamstring). JoJuan Armour (groin) and Sirr Parker (hamstring) also will not play.

        Damian Vaughn (heel) is doubtful. Canute Curtis (groin) and Dugans (hamstring) are questionable.

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