Bengals expect OT Smith to return in two months

It is hopefully that the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Andre Smith will wear back his Bengals jersey for return by May as he is making positive process in recovery after the repairing surgery. The Bengals are expecting him to anchor the right tackle position again in 2010 season.

"We took some dramatic steps to make sure it was not a lingering issue this coming fall," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said today at the NFL scouting combine. "At this point everything has gone very, very well and he’s on schedule, which is good. He was still having some pain at some different times last season that he wouldn’t admit to very often to many people but we wanted to get it addressed. We had him looked at by a lot of foot specialists and they all recommended that he get this addressed."

Smith suffered an injury just a few days after halting his training camp holdout last summer but managed to play in the final six games of last season. The repairing surgery was operated to prevent any future fractures. Although he was overweight when he was drafted by the Bengals in the first round and drew a lot of negative attention, Smith still managed to impress people with his effectiveness as a pro athlete.

Game against Steelers became first regular-season home sellout of Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals sold out one their eight regular-season home games, but it is not the season opener, but a Sept. 27 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thousands of Steelers fans contributed to the sellout. So it will be no surprise to see more fans in steelers jerseys than those in bengals jerseys.

A lot of NFL teams have felt the pressure of the economy recession this season. The Bengals had sold out its last 44 regular-season home games, and for this season the Sept. 27 game has been the only home game to sell out, with a lot of tickets left for the Sept. 13 home opener against the Denver Broncos, the first time the Bengals have not sold out an opener since 2002.

With one winning record in the past 18 years, the Bengals are coming off 4-11-1 season and has attracted much more interest than before. Coach Marvin Lewis was believed to improve the team a lot.

It remains unclear whether Palmer will play on Thursday's opener

Bad news for the Bengals fans, quarterback Carson Palmer sprained his ankle and has missed practice. He might be not available for playing in the Bengals' second preseason game against the New England Patriots.

Palmer got the injury during a game Friday in New Orleans. According to Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, it was a mild to moderate sprain on high-ankle. The injury prevented Palmer from taking part in practice later in the day. And by so far it is still uncertain whether he needs a surgery or is available for the game Thursday at New England.

Last season, Palmer played only four games because he tore his ligament and tendon in his passing elbow. The elbow is fine now, although Palmer did not have surgery on it.