By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

PITTSBURGH - The injuries, old and new, left the Bengals with few options Sunday.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos from Sunday's game

So for much of their game against the Steelers, three Cincinnati rookies saw significant playing time on defense.

"Right now, it's obviously not the way we had this thing put together," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "But it is what it is right now, and we are going to get better with it."

Madieu Williams started at free safety and Caleb Miller started at linebacker in the 28-17 loss at Heinz Field.

The third rookie - Keiwan Ratliff - was pressed into action at a somewhat unfamiliar position when starting strong safety Rogers Beckett left the game in the first quarter with blurred vision and didn't return.

Williams moved to strong safety in place of Beckett. Taking his place at free safety was Ratliff, the cornerback taken by the Bengals with the 49th overall pick in April's draft. Backup corners Terrell Roberts and Reggie Myles also saw action at safety.

"It was challenging, but it wasn't very tough," said Ratliff, who started 25 of his last 26 games at Florida as a cornerback. "I knew I could be pressed into duty (at safety) in almost any given game. So I just tried to prepare myself."

Williams' background as a versatile defensive back in college has allowed the Bengals to plug him in at three positions already this season.

He started the season-opener at left cornerback in place of Deltha O'Neal.

With Beckett out of the lineup in Weeks 2 and 3 after suffering a concussion against the Jets in the season-opener, Williams started both games at strong safety.

So on Sunday, with Kim Herring and Kevin Kaesviharn both out of the lineup, Williams started at free safety.

But he wasn't there long.

"We kind of just went with the flow," Williams said of himself and Ratliff. "You've got a guy who's not used to being back there. So you try to adjust as well as you can over the course of the game. He was out there giving a good effort, making plays."

Williams led the Bengals with 10 tackles.

Miller started in place of linebacker Nate Webster, who was placed on injured reserve last week because of a torn patella tendon.

"For him to come in and step up and play against the Pittsburgh Steelers and make some plays," Bengals linebacker Kevin Hardy said, "I think it says a lot about his character and the player he's going to be."

Miller, who missed one series Sunday after re-aggravating an ankle injury in the second quarter, had three total tackles.

He also recovered a fumble by Steelers running back Duce Staley in the first quarter.

"It was a disappointing game," Miller said. "I'm disappointed mainly in the loss."

Return to Bengals front page...