By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Former Highlands and UK star Derek Smith practiced for the first time with the Bengals on Wednesday.

And he couldn't have been happier. Out of a football job since being waived in September by the Colts, Smith moved home to Fort Thomas and had taken construction and warehouse jobs.

He was back in a football uniform Wednesday, a Bengals practice uniform. He signed a one-year contract Tuesday to play on the team's practice squad.

"I've been a Bengals fan since I was 6," Smith said. "To get the call yesterday to come over here and sign is something I've wanted to do. I'm going to do the most I can with the opportunity."

Smith was the consensus all-Southeastern Conference tight end as a sophomore when he had 50 receptions. He had only 30 catches last year as a junior under new coach Guy Morriss. Smith decided to enter the NFL draft, went undrafted and signed a free agent deal with the Colts.

WELCOME BACK: Speaking of non-football jobs, linebacker Tito Rodriguez was doing landscape work Tuesday when the Bengals called and asked him to fill the hole on their practice squad.

He was in Fort Myers, Fla., and caught a flight Tuesday night to arrive in time for Wednesday's practice. He was with the team in training camp.

HURTING: Ravens coach Brian Billick said linebacker Ray Lewis, defensive end Michael McCrary and cornerback Chris McAlister are not expected to play Sunday.

The loss of the three veteran defenders will help the Bengals in their attempt to score a point in Baltimore for the first time since 1998. They've been outscored 75-0 in three consecutive losses at Ravens Stadium.

Linebacker Peter Boulware is the star left on the defense.

"You're talking about one of the best athletes in the NFL," Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna said of Boulware. "He can play well against the run and certainly against the pass. That's his specialty."

HEALTHY: The Bengals are in relatively good shape for the Ravens.

Besides tight end Sean Brewer, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and lost for the season, the Bengals have only one player listed as questionable for the Ravens, defensive end Vaughn Booker (knee).

Cornerback Jeff Burris (hamstring) and linebackers Canute Curtis (shoulder) and Riall Johnson (wrist) are probable.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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