The Associated Press

Linebacker Joey Porter might start against the Bengals on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium even though he is listed as questionable.

Porter was shot in the upper right thigh by an unknown assailant in Denver on Labor Day and missed the first two games.

Though coach Bill Cowher would not commit to saying whether Porter would play, he said there is a chance Porter could start.

"I want to see where he's at by the end of the week," Cowher said. "He probably would start. How much he plays at that point, I don't know. A lot of it might be more from a conditioning standpoint. He's been out a couple weeks now. A lot will have to do with how he feels."

Cowher said he could upgrade Porter on the injury report depending on how Porter practices.

"He's had some tests done, and everything looks good at this point," Cowher said. "It's a matter of watching him work, watching him hit, watching him run and accelerate and move when he has to not think about it. He has to react. So I'm sure he'll be upgraded at some point."

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