By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals had some good news and bad news Thursday at the safety position.

Kevin Kaesviharn, who started the past two games at free safety, was added to the injury report as questionable with a back injury. He did not practice Thursday.

But Rogers Beckett, who has missed the past two games because of a concussion, was upgraded from questionable to probable. He practiced Thursday for the second consecutive day.

If Kaesviharn can't play, rookie Madieu Williams might switch to free safety - a more pass-oriented position played deeper on the defensive backfield. The strong safety is traditionally a more run-oriented position and plays closer to the line of scrimmage.

Cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, the team's other second-round pick, along with Williams, said he is working at safety and was asked by coaches to learn all four defensive backfield positions.

ON THE LINE: Left tackle Levi Jones (knee) did not practice Thursday and remained questionable for the Steelers.

Eric Steinbach worked a second consecutive day at left tackle, and Larry Moore - who remains questionable with a knee injury - took Steinbach's regular position at left guard.

Jones is expected to try to play. Steelers linebacker Joey Porter rushes from the right side of the defense and has three sacks, 25 tackles and two forced fumbles in his past four games against the Bengals.

NEW GUY: Wide receiver Cliff Russell said the knee injury that erased his rookie season is behind him and he will make the most of his latest opportunity.

Russell, 25, signed to the Bengals 53-man roster Wednesday, probably will be activated for the game Sunday at Pittsburgh.

"I've got to go out there and make the most of what God blessed me with, my speed and athletic ability," said Russell, Washington's third-round draft pick in 2002. "I'll probably be helping out a little more on (special) teams. And they might stick me out there a little bit at receiver to stretch the defense out."

He had 124 receptions in three college seasons at Utah.

Russell probably will be activated as the fifth wide receiver if Peter Warrick can't play because of a shin injury. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and remains questionable.

"I'm going to give my all," Warrick said when asked if he would play. "I don't know at this point. When I go out there, the adrenaline, the crowd, it's just one of those things."

FASHION PLATES: The Bengals are expected to wear white jerseys and black uniform pants Sunday against the Steelers.

LAST ON FIRST: The Bengals' problems on defense start early in each series - on first down.

They are ranked last in the NFL by allowing an average of 7.92 yards on first-down plays. The AFC average is 5.36.

"It makes it a lot more difficult for third down," coach Marvin Lewis said. "In this case, they go right to first down, so we get a chance to start it over again."

Problems on first down lead to problems on third down, where the Bengals are tied for 20th in third-down efficiency at 39 percent.

MORE BEN: Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple has noticed a change in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's behavior this week, following his first NFL start and heading into his second. The former Miami University star will start against the Bengals.

"I've seen this week where he's a lot more confident, certainly in his play calling," Whipple said Thursday. "I think he's had a little bit more of a presence this week in practice and meetings."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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