DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — It's a play that will make the NFL Films' highlight reel of the Bengals 2008 season.

Authored by defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Robert Geathers, it was the play of the game — almost a touchdown — against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

"I thought I was in for six," Rucker said.

But the referees ruled he was short of the end zone. Three attempts from point-blank range failed and the Bengals had to settle for a 20-yard Shayne Graham field goal en route to a 13-13 tie with the Eagles.

How it unfolded

The Eagles faced third and five from their 16-yard line at 0:48 of the first quarter.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb took the shotgun snap, stepped up in the pocket and tried scrambling to his left.

Geathers closed on McNabb and stripped the ball at the 13 for a 3-yard sack and forced fumble.

"I was playing inside," Rucker said. "I just wrapped around and the ball was laying there, calling my name. I had to go get it. Robert made an awesome play and I was able to converge on it. I thought it was a touchdown, but you live to play another down."

What happened next

Rucker made the recovery at the 7-yard line, scooping up the ball and rolling over. He got back on his feet and tried lunging into the end zone, but the Eagles' Jon Runyan crashed into Rucker for the tackle inches from the goal line.

"I was just going too fast," Rucker said. "I had to make sure I controlled the ball first. I tried to give the effort to get in, but I guess I didn't."

Why not challenge?

Head coach Marvin Lewis decided against challenging the ruling on the field.

"One of the side officials came over and said it was a good non-challenge," Lewis said. "He said he thought his knee was down."

Any regrets about not challenging the call?

"I'm so glad I didn't," Lewis said. "On the tape, you see his knee is down about a foot from the goal line."

Roster moves

To bolster the depth on the offensive line, the Bengals promoted guard Nate Livings off the practice squad to the active roster and placed linebacker Abdul Hodge (triceps) on Injured Reserve.

Rookie center Digger Bujnoch — the former University of Cincinnati star from Elder High School, and the son of former Bengals guard Glenn Bujnoch — was signed to the practice squad after being waived by the New York Giants.