Sean Brewer wrote another lament into the early chapters of his NFL career.

        The second-year Bengals tight end will undergo arthroscopic surgery today to repair a small cartilage tear in his left knee. He is expected to be out 3-to-4 weeks.

        Brewer had no receptions in three games this season. He missed his entire rookie season with a groin injury that landed him on the injured reserve list in early September.

        Rookie Matt Schobel, who has one reception for 6 yards, becomes the top tight end.

        The Bengals have been starting rookie left tackle Levi Jones at tight end to improve run blocking. Nicolas Luchey can also play tight end.

        LEVI'S COMING: Speaking of Jones, the 2002 first-round pick could start at left tackle Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones would replace veteran Richmond Webb in the lineup.

        NEW DAY: Even though the Bengals' charter plane didn't arrive from Atlanta until 3:30 a.m. Monday, coach Dick LeBeau had players running on the practice fields at 3 p.m.

        LeBeau went with his players to the field and spoke to them.

        “That is different (for a Monday),” LeBeau said. “I had some things to say to them and I wanted to be together.”

        Asked what he told the players, LeBeau said, “I coached them.”

        NEW SOD: The center of the Paul Brown Stadium field was replaced Monday “between the numbers, end zone to end zone,” said Eric Brown, the stadium's managing director.

        A crew started stripping the field immediately after Saturday's UC-Ohio State game, and Brown said the field should be in good shape for Sunday's Bengals-Buccaneers game.

        INJURY REPORT: Bengals defensive end Vaughn Booker was downgraded to doubtful with a right ankle sprain, and cornerback Artrell Hawkins (calf) is questionable.

        RANKINGS: The Bengals were ranked 18th in defense and 28th in offense in the latest NFL team statistics, which didn't include results of the Tampa Bay-St. Louis Monday night game.

        BONUS STAT: The Bengals and Baltimore Ravens are the only two teams that haven't forced a turnover so far this season. The Bengals have played one more game than Baltimore, which had a Week 3 bye.

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