--Three former Bengals players will be in network analyst roles for this week's game. In addition to the every-week presence of former Bengals offensive lineman Dave Lapham on the team's radio network, former wide receiver Cris Collinsworth will be in the NFL Network TV booth, and former quarterback Boomer Esiason will be on duty for Westwood One Radio.

--OL Digger Bujnoch, the son of former Bengals guard Glenn Bujnoch, was shopping at a Kroger grocery store when the Bengals called and asked if he would join their practice squad. The former Cincinnati Elder High School and University of Cincinnati star wasted no time.

Waived by the Giants with an injury settlement in early September -- he had a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his knee -- Bujnoch had been working out four or five days a week waiting for a call from an NFL team.

"It got kind of boring over 12 weeks," said the 285-pound center/guard. "But the preseason had gone well except for the injury.

Bujnoch fills the spot on the practice squad vacated when the Bengals signed guard Nate Livings to their active roster. LB Abdul Hodge (triceps) was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list Monday.

--With offensive linemen Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth ailing, there's a possibility that the Bengals could start Thursday's game with Nate Livings at left guard and rookie Anthony Collins at left tackle.

They'll protect the blind side of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick against a defense with 36 sacks. ROLB James Harrison has 12 sacks. It's no easier on the other side, where LOLB LaMarr Woodley has 9.5 sacks.

The Steelers sacked Fitzpatrick seven times in the first game between the teams this season, a 38-10 Pittsburgh victory.

Collins is ready for the opportunity to play, despite being on the field for only six plays thus far. He has also seen limited action on special teams.

He was inactive Sunday against Philadelphia and did not play in six Bengals games. Collins, who was working at left tackle Tuesday's practice, said he welcomes a trial by fire.

"Might as well get it done. Might as well go hard and finish every block. Don't matter who your opponent (is), just go ahead and do your job," Collins said.

He said he has gleaned valuable advice from veteran linemen, including Jones, Whitworth, Stacy Andrews and former Bengal Willie Anderson.

"So I'm just going to go ahead and prove it this Thursday," Collins said.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3-9 -- Pittsburgh-area native Marvin Lewis' record as head coach of the Bengals against the Steelers.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Since we just talked (Monday), not a lot has changed on our side. But obviously it's a big week for us, a big game, going to Pittsburgh, playing Thursday night. Our guys are excited. It's our opportunity to kind of show our wares, play under the lights in front of everyone in the country, so it's a big deal." -- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, on Tuesday, two days before his 1-8-1 team plays the 7-3 Steelers in Pittsburgh.