By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said his team came out of the loss at Tennessee "relatively healthy."

Still, the Bengals might be without a key player, versatile defensive lineman Carl Powell, who is likely to be downgraded to doubtful for the game Sunday against Dallas, Lewis said Monday.

Lewis said Powell's knee, which required arthroscopic surgery earlier in the season, was examined again Monday.

Three players who did not dress at Tennessee remained questionable: Wide receiver Peter Warrick (shin), cornerback Rashad Bauman (Achilles) and running back Chris Perry (abdominal strain).

Bauman and Perry have "improved markedly," Lewis said.

The Bengals had three new injuries in the 27-20 loss at Tennessee.

Safety Kim Herring is probable for Dallas. He took a direct hit from a helmet on his knee but did return to the game. Herring said he would be OK to play against the Cowboys.

Rookie linebacker Landon Johnson (hip) and safety Kevin Kaesviharn (wrist/hand) are probable.

Lewis also said two players who entered the Titans game with injuries - wide receiver Chad Johnson (knee) and cornerback Reggie Myles (toe) - did not aggravate their injuries and remain in good condition for Dallas.

DAY OFF: Lewis gave the players the day off from regular Monday meetings. They still kept their conditioning appointments.

"We have had a lot of football in a short three weeks (since the bye week), and this also gives the coaches an opportunity to focus on what we need to do better," Lewis said. "This provides the players some time to look at what we need to do. The players still come by and see their coaches, so they know what's right and wrong."

Two errors from Tennessee addressed by Lewis were the inconsistency of the run defense and mistakes being made by veteran players and the poor job of protecting done by the interior of the offensive line.

STAT PACK: The Cowboys are 3-4. The Bengals are 2-5 and will begin a streak of three home games in the next four weeks.

Dallas is ranked 26th in rush offense, which might give a break to the Bengals' last-ranked rush defense. The Cowboys, however, are No. 6 in pass offense. The Dallas defense has slumped to 26th.

The Bengals are 23rd in total offense and 26th in defense.

DALLAS MYSTIQUE: Lewis was asked about the Cowboys tradition and coach Bill Parcells.

"He does as fine a job of game planning as anyone," Lewis said of Parcells. "Their staff is as good as they come at breaking down things you do and attacking at what they think are your weak points. We must do the right things preparing and carry that into the game."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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