The injury bug continues to nibble away at the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Linebacker Manny Lawson left Thursday night's game against the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury, the team announced. Lawson was hurt in the first half and his return was listed as doubtful.
It was the first injury of the night for the Bengals, who lost a rash of players -- including defensive end Carlos Dunlap, linebacker Rey Maualuga, safety Taylor Mays and offensive lineman Travelle Wharton -- in last week's 24-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Wharton is out for the year with a knee injury.
Lawson started 15 games for the Bengals last season. He's penciled in to start at the strongside spot, with Thomas Howard on the weakside and Maualuga in the middle.
With or without Lawson, Cincy's immediate problem Thursday was quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who looked like something ripped out of Madden 13 in directing Green Bay to an early lead.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
