Rivers Done, Caldwell Lost for Four Weeks, Bengals Can’t Catch a Break

Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers had his jaw wired shut today and is headed to injured reserve. Rookie wide receiver Andre Caldwell, who saw his first action of the year against the Steelers, is now down as well with a foot injury that will sideline him for a month.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said the team has trust issues on offense, with players trying to do too much instead of focusing on their own assignments. “There’s a lot of things that go into it,” he said. “I wouldn’t say more, but make sure that you’re doing your part and allow it to work. Don’t compensate. Make sure that everybody’s in the right spots. Don’t shorten things down. Don’t flatten things out. Let’s make sure we get to the right spots, the way it was coached and the way it was practiced. I think that’s the most important thing, the way it was practiced all week. Don’t compensate and try to farm somebody else’s crops.”

Expect to see more of rookies Pat Sims and Jerome Simpson, Lewis added.

Lewis has already ruled out Carson Palmer for next Sunday’s game against Houston. Team sources tell Pro Football Weekly that Palmer “badly wants to play again this season” and is targeting a return following the team’s week 11 bye. However, with the Bengals’ offensive line completely unable to protect the QB — No. 2 Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked seven times by Pittsburgh — and the team all too likely to be 0-10 coming off the bye, such a return would be little more than an invitation for a fresh injury.

Poll Results: By a commanding 80-20 margin, StripeHype readers say that it’s time for the Bengals to give up on RB Chris Perry. Dayton Daily News sportswriter Chick Ludwig believes a parting of the ways is indeed on the horizon. “He may even get cut before the season ends,” The Chickster writes. “He’s done. Finished. Kaput.”

New poll coming shortly.