49ers at Bengals
THE STORY: The San Francisco 49ers make their first trip to Cincinnati in nearly eight years hoping to record their ninth win in 12 meetings with the Bengals. San Francisco last stepped foot in Cincinnati on Dec. 13, 2003, when Rudi Johnson ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-38 triumph by the Bengals. The 49ers have lost their last two visits and have dropped five straight road games against AFC clubs. Both teams will be missing a receiver due to knee injuries. San Francisco's Braylon Edwards is out indefinitely and Cincinnati's Jordan Shipley is done for the year.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Bengals -2.5, O/U 40.5.
ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-1): Edwards suffered a knee injury on San Francisco's third offensive play of the game Sunday against Dallas and underwent surgery. Coach Jim Harbaugh would not give a timetable for Edwards' return, stating only that the receiver would "be out for a little bit." Edwards, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract over the summer, has four receptions for 48 yards thus far this season. Quarterback Alex Smith suffered a concussion in the loss to Dallas but participated in practice Wednesday and is expected to play against Cincinnati.
ABOUT THE BENGALS (1-1): Shipley suffered a torn left ACL in Sunday's loss to Denver and was placed on injured reserve Monday. Shipley made four catches for 14 yards in two games this year. The Bengals' legal problems apparently are not over as receiver Jerome Simpson and offensive lineman Anthony Collins were questioned by police after a package containing marijuana was delivered from California to their home in Kentucky. Authorities found six more pounds of the drug in the house following a search.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Former Bengals defensive end Justin Smith is looking to make his 158th consecutive start. Smith, who was the fourth overall pick in 2001, registered 43.5 sacks in 111 games with Cincinnati.
2. Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green teamed up for 10 completions Sunday, marking the first time in NFL history a pair of rookies have accomplished the feat.
3. Simpson had a career-high 136 yards receiving in Sunday's loss at Denver. In his last five starts, he has recorded three 100-yard performances.