--LB Keith Rivers will be placed on injured reserve this week. His jaw was broken when he was blocked by Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward on Sunday. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that Ward's hit was not dirty and was within the rules.

--QB Carson Palmer (right elbow) was ruled out for the game Sunday at Houston, coach Marvin Lewis said. Palmer will have missed four games because of an inflamed throwing elbow.

--WR Andre Caldwell (foot) sustained a stress fracture Sunday against the Steelers and is expected to miss a few games, coach Marvin Lewis said.

--K Shayne Graham (right groin) has missed two games in a row with the ailing on the side of his kicking leg. Coach Marvin Lewis did not address Graham's condition in his Monday news conference. Dave Rayner has kicked in each of the past two games.

--LB Corey Mays (ankle) could be back for the Texans game, coach Marvin Lewis said.

--CB Jamar Fletcher (hamstring) missed the Steelers game but could be ready to face the Texans, coach Marvin Lewis said.

--TE Ben Utecht (chest) did not play against the Steelers but could be ready for the Texans, coach Marvin Lewis said.

--WR Glenn Holt (ankle) did not play against Pittsburgh. He will return to play against the Texans, coach Marvin Lewis said.

REPORT CARD VS. STEELERS

PASSING OFFENSE: D -- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, starting for the injured Carson Palmer for the third time, was sacked seven times and lost one fumble. The Bengals tried to go deep but could not. Fitzpatrick missed Chad Ocho Cinco deep once. Ocho Cinco caught the only touchdown of the game. Fitzpatrick did not throw an interception, though he lost a fumble on a sack for the third time in his third start.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C -- The Bengals did better than they had previously against the Steelers. Cedric Benson got the start ahead of Chris Perry. Benson rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries, including a long of 15 yards. Still, the blocking up front has not been consistently productive.

PASS DEFENSE: D -- The Bengals did well for most of the middle of the game. They struggled early, giving up two big plays on third down on Pittsburgh's first drive. Then the Steelers scored on touchdown passes on their last two drives. The Bengals pass rush had no sacks and little pressure on Pittsburgh quarterbacks.

RUSH DEFENSE: C -- Steelers TB Mewelde Moore got loose for 120 yards on 20 carries, a six-yard average, and two rushing touchdowns. The last two games have been the Bengals' best against the run this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C -- Darrin Simmons is one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. He had rookie Andre Caldwell ready to return kickoffs, and he averaged 29.3 yards a return. Dave Rayner, kicking for the injured Shayne Graham, made his only field-goal attempt and is 3-for-3 in two games on extra points. The Bengals had the edge in kickoff returns over the Steelers. Kyle Larson struggled on his eight punts for the second game in a row, including a short of 15 yards.

COACHING: D -- Marvin Lewis' team is 0-7 and has lost 19 of the past 26 games. Bob Bratkowski can't get the offense out of low gear. The defense and special teams continue to play well. Still, the bottom line is wins and losses.