An injury-depleted Bengals team will have the benefit of three extra rest days when it takes on Baltimore this week, following a Thursday Night loss in Pittsburgh.

Against the Steelers, Cincinnati opened without eight injured starters. The list grew to 10 when DEs Frostee Rucker (hamstring) and Robert Geathers (knee) were sidelined early and unable to return. Seven of the 10 injured starters are lost for the season. Five — CB Johnathan Joseph (foot), G Andrew Whitworth (ankle), G/T Scott Kooistra (knee), Geathers and Rucker — joined the Reserve/Injured list this week. They joined the previously sidelined LB Keith Rivers (jaw) and S Dexter Jackson (hamstring).

The next three weeks will see the Bengals facing teams that are currently 7-4, in hot pursuit of the playoffs. After hosting Baltimore, Cincinnati travels to Indianapolis, and then it’s back home to face Washington.

“We aren’t going to the playoffs,” said Lewis, “but we obviously can have our say about who does and doesn’t go. We are looking forward to that opportunity.”