DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — — Chinedum Ndukwe's linebacking resume could fit on a cocktail napkin — with plenty of white space.

"I had a cup of coffee at linebacker at Notre Dame," the Cincinnati Bengals' 6-foot-2, 218-pound rookie strong safety said. "That's about it."

During Monday night's 34-13 loss to New England, injuries to an already thin unit meant Ndukwe played a hybrid linebacker spot. Also seeing extensive time were Dhani Jones and Anthony Schlegel, who weren't with the Bengals in training camp.

Monday was more than a cup of coffee: "It was a full-course meal," said Ndukwe, who made five tackles. "It was, obviously, the first time this year I've done it.

"It was one of those things. But I've just got to keep working on it because I don't know what the situation is going to be like and it's something I've just got to keep getting better at."

As an emergency backup, Ndukwe played because Lemar Marshall suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles injury and Landon Johnson left with an eye injury.

On Tuesday, the Bengals put Marshall on the injured reserve list and acquired linebacker Corey Mays off waivers from New England. The 6-1, 245-pound Mays, a third-string inside linebacker released Monday, is a second-year pro from Notre Dame — where he played with Ndukwe.

Mays, waived to make room for fullback Kyle Eckel, is expected to help the Bengals' coverage units on special teams before he gets an opportunity in the base defense.

Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks, Johnson and Miller likely will return after the Week 5 bye, but the 1-3 Bengals must improve a defense that allowed the Patriots 173 rushing yards.

"In the next two weeks, we've got to rejuvenate ourselves health-wise and get ready to roll," said Schlegel, a recent ex-New York Jet who played with a turf toe injury. "It's just a quarter of the season."

Jones, whose only preseason action in Cincinnati was with the New Orleans Saints, was making defensive calls Monday.

"I messed up a couple times and that's inexcusable," Jones said. "I'll get it right next (time).

"When you're down a couple guys, you kind of have to flip a couple switches and switch a couple positions and it's hard. I ain't going to lie, it's difficult."

The bye week allows time for the Bengals to stabilize their linebacking corps, through better health and/or other moves.

"I don't know where guys are physically, but if we don't have them, we've still got to play," said defensive tackle and captain John Thornton. "I don't think the NFL's going to spot us 7-14 points because of that. We've got to go out and fight no matter what happens."