The Bengals were missing three players at practice on Thursday, but Friday finds a full house at Cincinnati’s final practice of the week.
Geoff Hobson of the team’s website reports that cornerback Terence Newman and tackle Anthony Collins are “buckled up” for practice after missing both of the team’s previous practices this week. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who was sidelined by an illness on Thursday, is also back in action for the Bengals.
Newman has missed the last three games because of a knee injury, leaving the Bengals without both their starting corners with Leon Hall already on injured reserve. Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones have started those games and all three corners will likely see a lot of action against the Chargers if they’re in the lineup.
Collins, who’s dealing with an ankle injury, has been starting at left tackle since Andrew Whitworth moved to left guard in the wake of Clint Boling’s trip to injured reserve. He’s started seven games overall this season and has performed well when called upon.
The Bengals won’t get Hall or defensive tackle Geno Atkins back, but it looks like they have a good chance at having all the current members of their 53-man roster available as they try to win a playoff game for the first time in 23 years.