Lewis: Ghiaciuc questionable for Raiders

Center Eric Ghiaciuc has a sprained knee and is questionable for the Raiders on Dec. 10, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said this morning.

First-year center Ben Wilkerson played the second half.

Though he declined to directly answer questions about Wilkerson -- Lewis normally has little to say about individual players -- the coach did say, "Obviously, it's a little tough to have your first significant playing time against that defense. There's a lot going on. He did fine."

Lewis said he anticipated that guard Bobbie Williams (appendix), cornerback Deltha O'Neal (shoulder) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) would be back, Lewis said.

He said center Rich Braham (knee) and left tackle Levi Jones (knee) would be questionable. Defensive tackle John Thornton (knee) would be probable.

Lewis also made sure to chide the media for its extreme coverage of the team, essentially too high when the Bengals win and too negative when they lose.

They are an inconsistent team. It has won three in a row twice and lost three in a row in early October.

Lewis did praise the team's three safeties -- Dexter Jackson, Madieu Williams and Kevin Kaesviharn -- for playing well and contributing special talents. "Kevin, in absence of guys due to injury, deserved more opportunities for playing time. He earned the opportunity."

Bengals players are off until Monday.