By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals addressed a need for more bodies at linebacker and crossed their fingers when another starter had minor knee surgery Wednesday.

Center Rich Braham, like outside linebacker Brian Simmons on Monday, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.

The Bengals claimed third-year linebacker Marcus Wilkins from the Arizona Cardinals and rookie linebacker Allen Augustin from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The club waived offensive lineman Thatcher Szalay and rookie defensive end Derrick Crawford. Szalay has a wrist injury, and if he is not claimed he will revert to the Bengals today and be placed on injured reserve.

Coach Marvin Lewis is hopeful Simmons and Braham will be ready to play in Cincinnati's season opener, Sept. 12 at the New York Jets.

"That's why he wanted to have (the operation) done today, so he could be back and ready to go," Lewis said of Braham.

Waived Tuesday by the Cardinals, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Wilkins played in 12 games for Green Bay the past two seasons.

Augustin, 6-0, 227 pounds, saw action in three preseason games with the Steelers and had four tackles.

The Bengals have had just five healthy linebackers at practice for the past three days.

BATTERED LINE: Braham is out for the preseason finale Friday night against the Indianapolis Colts.

But the list of injured offensive linemen doesn't stop with him.

Starting left guard Eric Steinbach (elbow) will not play, nor will backup offensive linemen Scott Kooistra (knee) and Stacy Andrews (ankle). Andrews said he will be out up to three weeks.

"Every team is going through it," Lewis said of the rash of injuries. "Ours, it's somewhat spread out, yet it's kind of been centrally located to the offensive line and linebackers."

Larry Moore will start at center, Lewis said. Alex Sulfsted, a former Mariemont High School and Miami University star, will get his first Paul Brown Stadium start at left guard in place of Steinbach.

"I'm excited," Sulfsted said. "It just gives me more plays to get out there and try to prove I belong here."

ALSO OUT: Cornerback Deltha O'Neal will miss his third consecutive preseason game because of an ankle injury.

Cornerback Greg Brooks, defensive end Robert Geathers and wide receiver Adam Ziesel also will not play, Lewis said.

Starting defensive tackle John Thornton (heel) also is expected to miss the game. Langston Moore will start at left defensive tackle if Thornton can't play.

KYLE'S KICKS: Rookie punter Kyle Larson has made a move this week to claim the job after incumbent Kyle Richardson's season-ending injury.

"I've been really encouraged by (Kyle). Every time I yell at him, he punts better," Lewis said.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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