PLAYER NOTES

-- G Andrew Whitworth (ankle) was declared out for the Ravens game Sunday.

-- S Chinedum Ndukwe (foot), a starter, did not practice Thursday. He has a chance to play Sunday.

-- LB Rashad Jeanty (shin) was limited in practice Thursday. He is the starter on the strong side.

-- LT Levi Jones (back) did not practice Thursday. If he can't play, rookie Anthony Collins would make his second start.

-- OL Scott Kooistra (knee) is out for the Ravens.

-- DE/LB Eric Henderson (neck) did not practice Thursday. He is not expected to play Sunday.

-- CB David Jones (knee), a starter with Johnathan Joseph out for the season, did not practice Thursday.

-- WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) did not practice Thursday. He was limited Wednesday. He will start Sunday.

-- DE Antwan Odom (shoulder) was limited Thursday for the second day in a row. He might have a chance to play Sunday.

-- G Andrew Crummey (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

-- WR Jerome Simpson (ankle) practiced fully Thursday for the second day in a row.

GAME PLAN: The Bengals will hope to run the ball against a Baltimore defense that is fourth in the league against the rush. Baltimore should be able to push around the Bengals offensive line, which is likely to have an inexperienced left side again in rookie Anthony Collins at tackle and Nate Livings at guard. If the Bengals can't run and are forced to pass, the Ravens will come hard with a variety of pressures, which could force Ryan Fitzpatrick into interceptions. Look for Fitzpatrick to use quick drops and get the ball out in a hurry.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Ravens FB Le'Ron McClain vs. Bengals run defense. Baltimore has three running backs with more rushing yards than the Bengals' top runner, Cedric Benson, who has 318 and a 3.1-yard average. Willis McGahee leads with 489 yards and five rushing touchdowns, one fewer than the six for McClain, who has 459 rushing yards on 117 carries. Rookie Ray Rice has 382 yards on 93 attempts. In all, the Ravens are fourth in the NFL in rushing with a 143.5-yard average. Baltimore has run 408 rushing plays and attempted 348 passes. Success running the ball and converting third downs are major reasons the Ravens have the ball an average of 33:27 a game.

Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Ravens pass defense. Baltimore got to Carson Palmer just twice in the opener on sacks, and the Ravens have just 22 this season. Baltimore's pressure creates interceptions on hurried passes, and the Ravens have returned four of their 19 interceptions for touchdowns, including safety Ed Reed's 108-yard score against the Eagles a week ago. Fitzpatrick is a smart quarterback, so he will be well prepared to face Baltimore's defense. The Bengals will need to run the ball to set up the pass and slow down the Ravens' pass rush.

INJURY IMPACT: The Bengals are beat up across the roster. The offensive line, defensive line and secondary have been hard hit. Several backups will be forced to start or play Sunday against the Ravens.