Cornerback Ligarius Jennings, signed Tuesday off the Detroit practice squad, made his Bengals debut in the third quarter on a Chicago passing down. Jennings played more than expected because of a hamstring injury to cornerback Robert Bean.

        Nickel back Tom Carter also appeared to be hobbled by a lower leg or foot injury, but he was not listed on the team's official injury report.

        Several times, Jennings, an undrafted free agent, found himself in one-on-one coverage with Bears first-round draft pick David Terrell. Terrell led the Bears with seven receptions for 91 yards, with a long of 41 to the Bengals 15-yard line that led to a Bears' touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

        “They called on me (after Bean was injured),” said Jennings, who was credited with three tackles. “I felt comfortable out there. I made mistakes. I think most of the mistakes were on my own. It wasn't so much what they did to me.”

        Jennings was signed after starting cornerback Rodney Heath was put on the Injured Reserve list. Heath tore his hamstring in the Cleveland game.

        RED ZONE:

The Bengals got inside the Bears 20-yard line twice (the red zone) but came away with no points.

        The Kitna interception ended one red-zone trip. The Bengals also drove to the Bears 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Kitna threw four consecutive incompletions to turn the ball over.

        The Bengals are now 13 of 16 scoring in the red zone with eight touchdowns and five field goals.

        CAREER HIGHS:

Peter Warrick career highs in receptions, eight, and yards, 84, against Chicago. He now has 30 receptions and 282 yards.

        Tight end Marco Battaglia had the best game of his six-year career with four receptions for 57 yards.

        Warrick's Florida State teammate Ron Dugans also matched a career high with three receptions and set a career best with 49 yards receiving. Dugans also added to his team-high special teams tackle total with two and has 13.

        SELLOUT:

The crowd of 63,408 was officially listed as a sellout, even though it came too late to beat the Thursday deadline that would have put the game on live local television.

        It is the fourth sellout in 12 games at Paul Brown Stadium. The others came against regional rivals Cleveland (twice) and Pittsburgh, teams that traditionally bring large numbers of fans to Cincinnati.

        The attendance was the fourth largest in stadium history, behind the other three sellouts.

        YO ADRIAN:

Bengals linebacker Adrian Ross mashed Bears' punt returner R.W. McQuarters with a second-quarter hit that brought many of the 63,408 fans out of their seats Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

        Fans come to games for a lot of reasons, not the least of which are hoped-for victories, people-watching and downing some favorite concessions. But high up on that list is seeing some big hits, and Ross' ranked highly.

        “I know when I do that (i.e. make a big hit on special teams) and get a roar from the crowd, it gets me excited, gets the rest of the team excited and the defense feeds off of that,” said Ross, who correctly noted that on the Bears' next offensive possession they went three-and-out.

        Ross said he “anticipated” the return-man's cutback and “happened to get a good stick on the guy.”

        Ross said he could both feel and see the presence of another Bengals defender on his left as he approached McQuarters, “so I knew (McQuarters) had to come back to the other side or spin, and when he spun I was right there.”

        Coming down the field on punt coverage, one cannot be hellbent on making a big hit. Contain and control is the focus, he said. But when the opportunity of a collision presents itself, it's gravy on one's potatoes.

        “I realize that's my main job here -- to bring excitement with physical play,” Ross said. “That fits my style.”

        ONE YEAR AGO:

On Oct. 22, 2000, Corey Dillon set the NFL single game rushing record of 278 yards against Denver. It was the Bengals' first victory in seven games.

        The Bears succeeded in stopping Dillon, holding him to 30 yards on 16 attempts for a 1.9-yard average. His long run was 10 yards.

        INJURY REPORT:

Bean missed the second half with a strained right hamstring and is doubtful for Detroit. Right tackle Willie Anderson missed part of the second quarter with a slight concussion. He returned to the game in the second half but left for good in the third quarter. Anderson is questionable for next week. John Jackson replaced him in the lineup.

        Wide receiver Darnay Scott went in for X-rays in the third quarter because of bruised ribs. They were negative, and he is probable.

        LATE SCRATCH:

Starting defensive end Vaughn Booker was a late inactive Sunday because of a right ankle sprain. Starting defensive tackle Bernard Whittington switched outside to Booker's spot, and reserve tackle Glen Steele moved into the starting lineup.

        Booker is probable for the Lions.

        INACTIVES:

Bengals inactives Sunday were running back Rudi Johnson, linebacker Riall Johnson, offensive tackle Jamain Stephens, guard Victor Leyva, wide receiver Chad Johnson, defensive tackle Tony Williams and Booker.

        With Booker, Williams and Heath out, the Bengals were missing three defensive starters from opening day.

        Coach Dick LeBeau didn't use injuries as an excuse, though.

        “I don't want to take that street,” he said. “It's an out. We have to be able to play with the people we have. We certainly have to do much better than what we did. Other than Rodney, the other guys are guys we'll get back.”

Bears 24, Bengals 0 Cynicism rears its ugly head Bengals notebook Ground game never got going Pickoff ticks off Kitna Rackers still struggling Report card Game statistics

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