By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals cornerback Jeff Burris has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh because of recurring migraines.

Burris didn't practice Thursday and was seen by a headache specialist. He is scheduled to see another specialist Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic.

"When he's not suffering from migraines, he can play," Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said.

Burris' potential absence Sunday against the Steelers could hurt the Bengals.

If Kevin Kaesviharn is forced to take Burris' spot in the lineup opposite starter Artrell Hawkins, the Bengals might have to use rookie free agent Reggie Myles as the nickelback. Myles was pressed into service Sunday against the Browns, and quarterback Tim Couch picked on him for two of his three touchdown passes.

The Bengals are hoping third-year veteran Mark Roman can play. Roman, a safety who was converted from cornerback, has been battling a bruised knee. He is listed as probable but didn't practice.

The Steelers have one of the league's most productive receiving corps. Hines Ward has 76 receptions for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Plaxico Burress has 49 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns.

Bengals defensive end Vaughn Booker, who has a rib cage injury, was downgraded to questionable and was limited in practice. Running back Rudi Johnson (intestinal virus) also is questionable.

GERMAINE THROWS: For the first time, practice-squad quarterback Joe Germaine took snaps and threw at practice for the Bengals.

Germaine said he threw about 10 passes.

Earlier this season, shortly after Germaine was signed to the practice squad, Bengals president Mike Brown said he was interested in seeing what Akili Smith or Germaine might do with some playing time if the team fell out of the playoff chase.

NUMBERS GAME: The Bengals' 54 victories since the start of the 1991 season, a league low, are concentrated against division rivals.

Six have come against Cleveland and Pittsburgh and five against Houston/Tennessee and Jacksonville.

Since 1998, the Bengals are 18-56. They are 4-5 against the Steelers in that time and have a chance to even their mark Sunday.

The Bengals also are 4-4 against Cleveland. They are 2-0 against non-division opponent Detroit.

The Bengals have victories over eight other teams in that span: San Francisco, Denver, Jacksonville, Arizona, New England, Baltimore, Tennessee and the expansion Houston Texans.

E-mail: mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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