The Bengals will play Sunday in Nashville.

Former Bengal defensive back Lamont Thompson is listed as the starting free safety because of an injury to Lance Schulters.

Rocky Boiman, who played at St. Xavier High School, has started four games at left outside linebacker in spite of suffering a knee injury and a broken hand.

And rookie Jacob Bell, who played college ball at Miami University, has started six games in a row at left guard.

Thompson, the Bengals' second-round pick in the 2002 draft, was released after training camp in 2003. He has made four starts and has three interceptions, including one returned 37 yards for a touchdown in the opener at Miami.

"He came in and made a lot of big plays for us last year, playing the last five or six games as our nickel back," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "He was here the entire offseason, and gained weight and strength and learned the defense."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis cut Thompson Aug. 31, 2003.

"He's getting an opportunity to play," Lewis said. "They had some injuries. He got a chance to play this year. He's made some productive plays. He just wasn't the player for us to keep."

Boiman, who played at Notre Dame, was the Titans' third-round pick in the 2002 draft. He has 18 tackles this season, including one for loss. He had 44 special teams tackles in his first two seasons.

Said Fisher of Boiman: "This year he'd pretty much accepted his role that he was going to be a backup to Pete Sirmon and be a key special teams performer. We lost Peter early in camp, and Rocky's been our starter. We hope that the injury thing is behind him and that he can continue to get better and stay on the field."

Bell, the other legitimate pro prospect last season at Miami, along with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, was Tennessee's first fifth-round pick this year. He replaced starter Zach Piller, who suffered a biceps injury in the opener and was placed on the injured reserve list Oct. 7.

Bell has blocked for Chris Brown, the league's third-leading rusher, and the Titans are ranked eighth in the NFL in rushing.

"We saw some things immediately after the draft that said (Bell's) got some ability and flexibility to play several positions on the offensive line," Fisher said. "Jacob has stepped in and done a great job for us. He potentially has the ability to step in and play offensive tackle and be a very productive and successful one."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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