Williams inactive; working in rain

Wide receiver Chad Johnson was on the field early with quarterback Carson Palmer, trying to work on passes in the heavy rain.

Bengals starting free safety Madieu Williams is inactive, and rookie Chinedum Ndukwe will get his first NFL start.

Other Bengals inactives: wide receiver Marcus Maxwell, cornerback David Jones, linebacker Jim Maxwell, right tackle Willie Anderson, tight end Nate Lawrie and defensive end Frostee Rucker.

Stacy Andrews will make his eighth start at right tackle.

For the Rams, starting quarterback Marc Bulger is inactive. Gus Frerotte is the emergency third quarterback.

Brock Berlin will make his first NFL start; his next pass will be his first in the NFL.

Todd Bouman, signed Dec. 7 with one practice with the Rams, will be the No. 2 quarterback.

The Rams continue to struggle with offensive line injuries. Andy McCollum will start at center in place of Brett Romberg. Cornerback Tye Hill, a starter, was placed on injured reserve late last week with a wrist injury, and Ron Bartell will start in place of Hill.