By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals found some help for their embattled defensive line on the practice squad Thursday, signing end Elton Patterson to the 53-man roster.

To make room for Patterson, the team's seventh-round draft pick in 2003, the Bengals waived fullback James Lynch.

The Bengals were facing the possibility of playing Sunday against Baltimore with just six defensive linemen. Carl Powell and Matthias Askew are out, both having undergone arthroscopic knee surgery in the past two weeks.

"I just think I established that I can play with this team," Patterson said after practice. "I don't think it was too hard of a decision. I just kept my head down and tried to do the best I could."

He played in all four preseason games before being waived Sept. 5 and signed to the practice squad Sept. 6. Patterson had five tackles, including two sacks, and a forced fumble. His contract is two years.

"It just gives us more depth on the defensive line," coach Marvin Lewis said of Patterson's signing. "We're going to miss Carl this week for sure. (Patterson) did a nice job. We're fortunate to have kept him on the practice squad."

Patterson probably will see special teams duty.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bengals declared starting center Rich Braham out, meaning Jerry Fontenot will start again.

The Ravens are likely to go without five starters: wide receiver Travis Taylor, tight end Todd Heap, center Mike Flynn, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg and linebacker Peter Boulware. Boulware is active but on the physically unable to perform list.

Nickelback Deion Sanders remains questionable with a hamstring injury.

Heap and Taylor, Baltimore's top receivers, are listed as doubtful.

FOOTBALL FAMILY: Even with Patterson's signing, the Bengals will go with just seven defensive linemen Sunday. One of them, rookie defensive end Robert Geathers, probably will make his NFL debut.

Geathers, inactive for the first two games because of an ankle injury, was upgraded this week to probable.

"I about have the ankle right," said Geathers, the team's second of three fourth-round draft picks. "Until I hurt my ankle, I was making a lot of progress."

Geathers and Patterson are likely to work into a reserve rotation with starting ends Justin Smith and Duane Clemons. Geathers, 21, who entered the draft after his junior year at Georgia, had 16 starts and 39 games for the Bulldogs. He had five career sacks and two interceptions. He is regarded as a pass rusher but said he can "hold my own" against the run. "A lot of it is natural."

Talent appears to run in the family. His uncle, Jumpy Geathers, recorded 62 sacks in his 13-season NFL career. Buffalo drafted Robert's father, Robert Sr., in the third round in 1981, but injuries ended his career prematurely.

Of his football family, Robert Jr. said: "My dad gave me a football when I was 3. That's the first thing I remember, carrying that ball around the house, running from him."

SPECIAL: Linebacker Marcus Wilkins, acquired off waivers Sept. 1 from Arizona, leads with five special teams tackles.

Tight end Matt Schobel's punt cover duty against the Jets was his first special teams action on any level. He covered 10 punts against Miami and recovered a fumble.

"It's something I've worked at and want to get better at," said Schobel, who also has four receptions.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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