Kitna officially to start at QB vs. Bills

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

(12:10 p.m.) -- Carson Palmer will be the designated third quarterback today for the Bengals, and Jon Kitna will make his first 2004 start for the Bengals against Buffalo.

Rookie Casey Bramlet is the second quarterback and active for the first time this season.

Palmer (knee) is one of five starters out because of injury. Inactive starters are
cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle), center Rich Braham (knee, injured reserve list), strong safety
Rogers Beckett (neck) and defensive end Duane Clemons (knee). Starting are cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, center Jerry Fontenot, safety Kim Herring and defensive end Carl Powell.

Herring will play free safety, and Madieu Williams shifts from free safety to strong safety. Also inactive are running backs Chris Perry (abdomen) and Quincy Wilson (signed Saturday
off Atlanta's practice squad) and defensive tackle Greg Scott.

The Bengals are 6-7. The Bills are 7-6. Both teams are still alive for an AFC wildcard
berth.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com