Paul Dehner Jr.

Cincinnati

Looks like the Bengals will lose one superstar and gain back another.

A.J. Green showed up to practice wearing a boot on his right foot as a precaution for the great toe injury he aggravated at the beginning of practice Wednesday.

All indications Green will not play Sunday against Carolina even though the team officially listed him as questionable on the injury report. As far as if the injury could linger on for multiple weeks, Marvin Lewis sounded more optimistic regarding his star receiver's long-term diagnosis.

"It's day to day is what I was told today, which is a good thing," he said. "He's feeling good. It's positive."

Fellow receiver Marvin Jones completed a week of not participating in practice with his ankle injury and he looks unlikely to play this weekend despite being listed as questionable. That leaves four receivers on Sunday's active roster: Brandon Tate, James Wright, Dane Sanzenbacher and Mohamed Sanu.

Obviously, the team is still holding out hope for Green, Jones, listing both as questionable but traditionally under Marvin Lewis players who don't practice have not played.

Early in the week hope arose guard Kevin Zeitler could return from the calf injury that's kept him out since injuring it Sept. 14 against Atlanta. He practiced in a limited role Wednesday, but hasn't participated since. With a listing as doubtful looks like he needs at least another week and Mike Pollak would then start again in his place.

"I don't know, we'll see how he feels," Lewis said when asked if he was optimistic Zeitler could play against Carolina. "We got some time before the weekend we will see how he is. He went out and got some of the soreness out which is good. It's just a matter of whether he progresses to be able to play games right now."

On the defensive side of the ball, only one final hurdle remains for Vontaze Burfict to return to the starting lineup. He hans't played since suffering his second concussion in seven days against the Falcons.

He returned to practice all three days this week in full capacity and has been cleared by the Bengals teams doctors. He just needs the same clearance from the independent neurologist and he will be officially good to go this weekend.

The full injury report lists as follows:

Doubtful: DT Brandon Thompson (knee), G Kevin Zeitler (calf)

DT Brandon Thompson (knee), G Kevin Zeitler (calf) Questionable: WR Marvin Jones (ankle), WR A.J. Green (great toe)

WR Marvin Jones (ankle), WR A.J. Green (great toe) Probable: LB Vontaze Burfict (concussion), S George Iloka (ab), LB Rey Maualuga (shoulder), G/C Mike Pollak (knee) and LB Vincent Rey (calf).

The Bengals are far from alone in dealing with injuries this time of year, Carolina had 10 players not participate in practice Wednesday, including all three of their running backs. They've lost both a starting and backup fullback and their starting nickel corner Bene Benwikere looks like he won't be able to go.

For the rest of the way, many games will be decided by depth and attrition.

"It's something everybody deals with," Lewis said. "We are dealing with this, it's the same thing. The sky didn't fall."