Bengals secondary depleted

NEW ORLEANS -- Safety Dexter Jackson (Achilles) and cornerback Deltha O'Neal (shoulder) are out today for the Saints game because of injuries. Rookie Johnathan Joseph will start for O'Neal, and Kevin Kaesviharn returns to the starting lineup in place of Jackson.

They will have to tangle with the NFL's No. 1-ranked pass offense for the Saints.

Other Bengals inactives: linebacker Brian Simmons (neck), right guard Bobbie Williams (appendix), center Rich Braham (center), left tackle Levi Jones (knee) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring). Other than Washington, every other Bengals inactive player would be starting if healthy.

Doug Johnson is the emergency third quarterback.

Other starting lineup changes for the Bengals are Stacy Andrews at right guard, Eric Ghiaciuc at center in place of Braham, Andrew Whitworth at left guard for Jones, and Caleb Miller at middle linebacker in place of Simmons. Ahmad Brooks had been starting at middle linebacker, but he is out of the starting lineup by result of a coach's decision.