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Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick are listed as doubtful for Thursday game (8:25 p.m., ET) against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. Eifert has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the Pro Bowl. He told reporters Tuesday that he had no discomfort coming off his first week of practice since offseason ankle surgery.
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Eifert said his status Thursday will be determined by the coaches.
"We've talked a little bit, just trying to feel it out, what would be the best thing for me and for the team, working me back in there and figuring out a game plan as far as that," Eifert told the Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday. "There's nothing been decided so far. You always end up coming to a conclusion and we're going to be comfortable with whatever decision is made. It's just kind of going through the game plan and seeing how I'm feeling and all those types of things to finally make the decision."
Kirkpatrick has a hamstring injury and likely will be replaced in the starting lineup by Darqueze Dennard.
Bengals safety Derron Smith is listed as questionable with a chest injury.
The Bengals have not yet moved linebacker Vontaze Burfict to the active roster but he is expected to play after being suspended the first three games of the season.
On Monday, the Bengals were granted a three-day exemption that allows Burfict to resume football activities and be active Thursday night.
Burfict's suspension resulted from repeated violations of rules pertaining to player safety, including a blow to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown that helped set up the decisive field goal in Cincinnati's 18-16 loss in the AFC wild-card game.
The Dolphins will be without starting outside linebacker Koa Misi (neck). Center Anthony Steen (ankle) is listed as doubtful and left tackle Branden Albert (ankle) is questionable and will be a game-time decision.
