RB Perry active for Patriots; CB Ratliff to start

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (12:12 p.m.) -- Rookie running back Chris Perry is active for the Bengals for the first time since Oct. 17 at Cleveland. He had missed seven consecutive games because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle) was a surprise scratch today. Rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff will make his third start. Ratliff will be one of three rookies to start on defense against the Patriots, joining middle linebacker Landon Johnson and strong safety Madieu Williams.

The Bengals also de-activated strong safety Rogers Beckett (neck). Williams moves to strong safety, and Kim Herring will start at free safety. The Patriots have de-activated two starting pass catchers, tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver David Givens. Givens is the team's leading receiver with 52 receptions, while Graham has a 12.4-yard average on 25 receptions with five touchdowns.

Other Bengals inactives: third quarterback Casey Bramlett, offensive tackles Alex Sulfsted and Stacy Andrews and defensive tackles Greg Scott, Terrance Martin and Shaun Smith. The Bengals are 6-6. The Patriots are 11-1 and have won 17 in a row here at Gillette Stadium.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com