Bengals players on injured reserve reported Wednesday for physicals.

        Among them were starting wide receiver Darnay Scott, middle linebacker Brian Simmons and left guard Matt O'Dwyer.

        Scott broke his leg in training camp. He was seen as the team's deep threat and No.1 wideout. His absence has been one of the reasons the Bengals have the NFL's lowest-ranked passing game.

        “It kills me, because that's my part of the team, and me not being here and being able to do that makes me mad,” Scott said. “The team really, really needs me. It just hurts not to be here when they need me.”

        Simmons, the starter at middle linebacker, tore cartilage in his right knee in the season opener.

        “It's doing good. It really is,” Simmons said of his knee. “I would like to be playing now. Right now my focus is making sure I'm 100 percent for minicamp. I've got a little ways to go for that. I feel like I'm between 75-85 percent. I'm excited about minicamp and running around out there 100 percent.”

        O'Dwyer, a free agent after the season, broke his left ankle at New England. He got his cast off Wednesday.

        MERRY CHRISTMAS: The Bengals close their season Sunday at Philadelphia.

        They won their past two Christmas Eve games, thanks to former kicker Doug Pelfrey.

        On Dec.24, 1994, Pelfrey made a 30-yarder with three seconds remaining. After the Bengals recovered an on-side kick, Pelfrey made a 54-yarder to win the game.

        The next year, also at Cinergy Field, the Bengals rallied from a 24-3 deficit to defeat the Vikings when Pelfrey kicked a 51-yarder at the gun for a 27-24 victory.

        FIELD UPDATE: The NFL is still looking into whether the Bengals violated game-day guidelines by failing to cover the Paul Brown Stadium field before Sunday's game.

        There was nothing new to report Wednesday, said Dan Masonson, a league spokesman. The Bengals could face a fine but won't lose draft choices.

Players get the man they wanted LeBeau staying as Bengals coach Assistants' fates in doubt DAUGHERTY: Good hire, Mike; now step aside SULLIVAN: LeBeau not obvious choice, just right one Dillon: LeBeau hiring a positive Sitting out hurts Scott

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