When asked if it would be a leap to think Cook could start, Lewis said, “Yes. A guy that’s not active. That would be a leap.”
But the Bengals waived backup center Jeff Faine on Wednesday, and it's doubtful they would go into a game with rookie free agent Trevor Robinson as their only center.
Cook injured his right ankle in the third preseason game and was placed on the NFL’s new Injured Reserve/Designated For Return list, making him eligible to return after eight weeks. He said he feels as though he’s ready but has not been given any indication what the team’s plans are.
“I haven’t been told anything,” he said. “I’m still on the IR and haven’t been returned yet. That’s what I’ve been preparing for the whole time. Whether it is coming in to start or being a backup or giving them another look in practice, whatever is asked is asked.”
While Cook said the injury was a tough blow, he has been pleased with the progress he has made in coming back.
“Before the surgery I hoped and wanted (to be back),” he said. “But after you are in surgery and in a cast, you don’t know if it is possible. Then as the rehab process starts, you get the itch.
“Everything from the start, surgery, rehab, there have been no complications,” he added. “The time frame was set, and we were right on or really close. Whatever I can do to help, I’m here.”
25, 100
BenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for at least 100 yards in three consecutive games, and the Bengals are 3-0 in those contests. Since Marvin Lewis took over in 2003, the Bengals are 35-7 when a back rushes for 100 or more yards.
But a more telling number has been 25, as in carries.
When a back logs at least 25 carries, which Green-Ellis did Sunday, Cincinnati is 34-2 under Lewis. Green-Ellis has three games with at least 25 carries this season, all Bengals wins.
The win-loss totals for Cincinnati backs with at least 25 carries in the Lewis era are: Rudi Johnson (18-1), Cedric Benson (11-1), Green-Ellis (3-0) and Kenny Watson (2-0).
Century club
Defensive end Robert Geathers made his 100th career regular-season start Sunday in San Diego, making him the third current Bengal to reach the century mark.
Cornerbacks Nate Clements (166) and Terence Newman (141) lead the team in career starts, but the majority of those have come with other teams. All 100 of Geathers' starts have been with the Bengals.
He has appeared in 130 games, which is well shy of the 183 his father, Jumpy Geathers, played in from 1984-96 with New Orleans, Washington, Atlanta and Denver. Jumpy, however, only made 27 career starts.
Andrew Whitworth likely will be the next Cincinnati player to reach the milestone. Sunday likely will be his 99th regular-season start, including 61 in a row.
Four before four
The Bengals are the first team since the 2010 Detroit Lions to win at least four games in a row immediately following a losing streak of at least four.
Detroit lost five in a row that year before ending the season on a four-game winning streak to finish 6-10.
A Bengals win Sunday against Dallas would equal the franchise’s longest winning streak since the 1988 team started the season 6-0. The 2011 Bengals also won five in a row.
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