Dan

Skuta

It’s good news. There is no fracture and a lateral sprain is not nearly as severe as a high-ankle sprain. Maualuga is considered week to week, with Dan Skuta filling in if the starter isn’t ready after the Bengals’ Week 7 bye.

Skuta is a former undrafted free agent, so Cincinnati would net no compensation if another team signed him to an offer sheet it couldn’t match. The Bengals shouldn’t have to worry about that, but Skuta is a versatile, productive linebacker with special teams value. The tender value is $1.26 million.

Skuta made a free agent visit to the Chiefs, but they must have never made him a serious offer-sheet proposal. The 26-year-old core special teamer will return as a top backup at middle linebacker and on the strong side.

An undrafted free agent, Skuta was tendered at the original-round level, so the Bengals wouldn’t receive draft-pick compensation if he signed an offer sheet they decided not to match. Primarily a reserve and special teamer in Cincinnati, it’s possible Skuta could see heavy snaps in Kansas City as a run-stopping TED linebacker opposite Derrick Johnson. He hasn’t taken any other visits.

Maualuga has been out since Week 5 due to a high-ankle sprain. The Bengals have gone 3-0 with Dan Skuta manning the middle. However, they’ll need their most talented linebacker for Sunday’s divisional showdown with the Steelers. Punt returner Pacman Jones (hamstring) is also expected to practice Wednesday.

Burfict is expected to be used in a rotation with Dan Skuta and Vincent Rey to replace Thomas Howard (knee), who was placed on injured reserve. Skuta is the favorite for early-down work, but Burfict and Rey will be given looks in certain situations. The Bengals also re-signed Roddrick Muckelroy as linebacker depth.

With Thomas Howard out for the season, it’s not a simple swap for the Bengals, as they do not have another LB who can play an every-down role. Dan Skuta is expected to get most of the work on early downs, with rookie Vontaze Burfict also possibly seeing snaps there. Vincent Rey would then rotate in on passing downs. There’s no IDP fantasy value to be had here.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy, it “looks like (Maualuga) is going to be out awhile.” This jibes with comments from coach Marvin Lewis, who said Friday Maualuga will likely be sidelined a “couple weeks.” Dan Skuta started in Maualuga’s place against the Colts Sunday, notching only five tackles (three solo). Cincinnati is on bye in Week 7.

Maualuga hasn’t played since Week 5, meaning he almost certainly suffered a high-ankle sprain. Dan Skuta, who had five tackles in Week 6, will draw the start once again.

“Looks like a couple of weeks,” said coach Marvin Lewis. Maualuga was added to Thursday’s practice report as “limited,” so the injury likely occurred during drills. Career special teamer Dan Skuta is expected to get the start against Indianapolis, with Thomas Howard staying on the weak side. Either way, it remains a forbidding matchup for Colts backs Delone Carter and Donald Brown.