Bengals WR Ross enjoying strong start

Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Marlon Humphrey circled the Week 2 date with the Cincinnati Bengals when the NFL released the schedule, anticipating the opportunity to match up with wide receiver A.J. Green in a primetime duel. Humphrey was the third-highest rated cornerback in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus, assuming the No. 1 cornerback role that Jimmy Smith (suspended four games) typically fills. "It's always a good test when you're going against a guy that's probably going to be wearing a gold jacket one day," Humphrey said. "With (Smith) out, I try to pick up the slack to try to match what he's done in the past."

Cincinnati Bengals: Year 2 is off to a strong start for wide receiver John Ross, a 2017 first-round pick who did not catch a pass as a rookie. Last year, he was targeted twice, inactive for eight games and on injured reserve for the final four games. Ross caught a TD pass against the Colts in the opener Sunday. Thursday he gets his first taste of the division rivalry with the Ravens. "Consistency is what we needed to see from him in games, as far as his routes, his depths, and his speed," coach Marvin Lewis said. "I was pleased with that. He has to keep going out there and playing in the games, making sure he is in the right spots so he's in position, based on the coverage, to have the opportunity to make the play. His touchdown was very effective, and those are the things he can do. He needs to continue to grow."

Cleveland Browns: Wide receiver Josh Gordon started in the opener due to a "miscommunication" with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, but he showed up in a big way with a highlight-reel TD grab. Gordon and quarterback Tyrod Taylor have not worked together much, as Gordon was in rehab and then missed time with a hamstring injury. But that's about to change. "Josh, when he is going like we know he can, is going to have an opportunity to make plays," head coach Hue Jackson said. "There were some chances, and there were some chances where we have to do a better job of running the routes -- not just Josh, I think all of our receivers -- as an offensive unit, it is a thing that we have to continue to work through and understand that when the opportunities present themselves, we have a chance to make those plays."

Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive guard David DeCastro said team medical personnel is still constructing a brace for his fractured right hand, but he's not as certain as he was Sunday that he can play against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. DeCastro said the injury is more serious than he initially thought. "It's just how your body reacts, you've got to ask your doctors," DeCastro said. "Adrenaline is pretty powerful. At the end of the day, you just want to be out there with the guys. Tape it up, gas it up and go." The two-time All-Pro missed just two games in the previous five seasons. B.J. Finney, who has started seven games over the past two seasons, would start if DeCastro cannot go.