Bengals WR A.J. Green is expected to miss next week's joint practices and Thursday's preseason opener with the Falcons.  Green has yet to return from the bruised knee he suffered last week.  We're still not altering our regular-season expectations.  Cincinnati has little reason to rush Green back or test him in game action.  Let's hope the injury doesn't linger beyond next week, though.

Bengals WR A.J. Green came away with just a knee bruise when he got hurt in practice Thursday.  Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Green called the injury similar to one he suffered as a rookie in 2011.  Green hyperextended his left knee against Pittsburgh that season and missed 10 days, including 1 game.  HC Marvin Lewis said the team will evaluate Green after the weekend.  Reedy reports that the WR could sit a week or 2.  Either way, this injury shouldn't change your fantasy football outlook for Green.  The Bengals might sit him for 2 weeks at this point just to be cautious because there's little reason to rush him back.  Unless we hear more negative reports, we're keeping Green high in the WR rankings.

Bengals WR A.J. Green tweaked his knee in Thursday's practice.  He underwent an MRI, which revealed no structural damage.  The injury is being called a knee bruise.  "I think he's fine," HC Marvin Lewis said, while adding that Green won't practice this weekend.  It's clearly a minor injury, though, and Green should be back next week.  His fantasy stock is unaffected.

Bengals HC Marvin Lewis says he won't rest his starters in Week 17, despite being locked into the #6 seed.  Lewis rested his starters 2 previous times, and Cincy was eliminated in its first playoff game on both occasions.  "How'd that turn out for us?" Lewis asked rhetorically.  "I think it's important for our team to play well. We are going to play to win the football game. [We're playing for] improvement."  Andy Dalton, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, A.J. Green, and Jermaine Gresham will be safe to use in fantasy this weekend.

Bengals WR A.J. Green is focusing on refining his route-running at OTAs.  “He’s always been such a good receiver that he could beat guys a lot of times just by running around them,” Bengals OC Jay Gruden said. “There were times last year when he wasn’t as detailed as he should be in terms of getting off the line, his depths and his route running. I think some of those routes will be cleaned up. He’s working on it. He’s so receptive to it. Has a ways to go, but he wants to be great. With the talent he has, throw in the desire he has, the work ethic he has, and the sky is the limit.”  Despite being a rookie with a lockout-shortened offseason, Green finished 14th among WRs in fantasy points last year.  He has top-5 upside in 2012.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton has packed on some muscle this offseason in an effort to improve his arm strength.  Beat writer Geoff Hobson has noticed "more zip" on Dalton's ball in OTAs.  QBs coach Ken Zampese sees improvement too.  "He's got a better base to throw from now than he did during the season, which gives you the distance and the arc," Zampese said.  "He's got more control of himself when he gets back there with the fifth step. It's more balanced."  There were questions about Dalton's arm strength coming into the league last year, but it didn't appear to be an issue to us.  The increased velocity can only help though.  It's also good news for WR A.J. Green, who has the deep speed to take advantage.

As expected, Bengals WR A.J. Green (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Cardinals.  He practiced all week.  The rookie won't be at 100%, but he's healthy enough to get into fantasy lineups as a high-upside WR2.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (shoulder) practiced all week and is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.  We're betting that his range of motion is a bit limited, but we'd still get the rookie into fantasy lineups against a burnable Arizona secondary.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (shoulder) caught passes Tuesday and felt fine.  He confirmed to the Arizona media that he fully expects to play against the Cardinals this weekend.  Green will be a bit riskier than usual, but he'll also have plenty of upside against the league's 25th-ranked defense against WRs.

Bengals WR A.J. Green doesn't plan to miss the final 2 weeks with the Grade 3 shoulder sprain he suffered in Sunday's win over the Rams.  “I had it before and it’s nothing serious. I’m definitely not going to miss these last two games for nothing,” Green said.  He suffered a sprained shoulder back in his sophomore year at Georgia and played through it.   The final decision will be made by team doctors.  Assuming Green does play, though, he'll carry a bit more risk than usual.  We'll have updates throughout the week.

Bengals WR A.J. Green has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 shoulder sprain, according to insider Joe Reedy.  It's the most severe grade.  Green was in a sling after the game.  He was able to play through it on Sunday, but consider him iffy for Week 16.  We should learn more on Monday.

Bengals WR A.J. Green suffered a right shoulder injury in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game against the Rams.  He'd been toying with the St. Louis secondary, catching 4 balls for 94 yards.  He's being called questionable to return.

Update: Green returned to start the 2nd half.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) is active for today's game against the Browns.  He practiced all week, and that knee shouldn't be an issue.  But a tough matchup against CB Joe Haden makes Green a low-end WR2 this week.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Browns.  The knee isn't an issue, but he has a tough draw against CB Joe Haden.  Green is a lower-end WR2 this week.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) put in a full practice on Thursday.  He remains on track to return for this weekend's game against the Browns.  Despite a tough matchup against CB Joe Haden, Green will be worth using as a WR2.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday.  We'll have to see how that knee responds, but this obviously bodes well for his chances of playing against the Browns this weekend.  Consider him a good bet to be ready for that one.

Bengals HC Marvin Lewis confirmed to NFL Network's Stacey Dales that WR A.J. Green (knee) will not play against the Ravens today.  Green was reportedly pushing to play, but team doctors are holding him out.  WR Andre Caldwell will replace Green in the starting lineup, but he's only a desperation fantasy option.  Jerome Simpson will serve as Cincy's #1 WR and can be used as a low-end WR3 in fantasy leagues.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Ravens after missing practice all week.  He won't play.  Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell will start out wide for Cincy, but both guys are just low-end WR3s in an unfavorable matchup.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) will miss his 3rd-straight practice on Friday.  He'll still likely be listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision.  It's a huge game for Cincy against the Ravens, so they'll do everything in their power to get Green ready.  At far less than 100%, though, the rookie will be a risky fantasy option.  We'll have another update this afternoon.

Bengals WR A.J. Green (knee) missed his 2nd-straight practice on Thursday.  He's definitely in danger of missing this weekend's game against the Ravens.  He'll be a game-time call, but we'd like to see him get on the practice field Friday to feel comfortable starting him in fantasy leagues.