Lewis says Ross “needs a lot of time”

While Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said the bye week should help most of the players who got hurt in Sunday's 20-16 win against Buffalo heal in time for for the Oct. 22 Pittsburgh game, the status of rookie wide receiver John Ross remains unclear.

Ross has not played since Week 2, when he re-aggravated the left knee injury he suffered in the preseason finale at Indianapolis.

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The first-round pick began doing rehab work on the side field last week. But Lewis said he needs to see more before he will know when Ross might be able to play.

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“Whenever John Ross comes out there, looks like everybody else and I watch him practice, we’ll have an idea,” Lewis said. “We’ll see whether or not he deserves to dress. He needs a lot of time and a lot of practice.”

Lewis dismissed the notion that he’s frustrated by Ross’ inactivity.

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“I don’t think I ever get frustrated,” he said. “You guys (media) use that word a lot. I just move on. What I can’t control, I don’t worry about. I don’t spend any time worrying about that.

“Guys here know when you show up and you’re out there practicing, then you have taken steps toward getting a chance to play,” he continued. “Then it’s doing it right — doing it consistently — so that way, we don’t worry about that. It’s easier on the coaches, (because) they don’t have to worry about it. We know that we see better than we hear. He’s doing well, and the doctors say he’s right on schedule with what they wanted him to do. We’ll just stay the course.”

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