CINCINNATI -- Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga expects to miss at least one more game because of a sprained left ankle.
Maualuga was hurt during practice last week and was inactive for Sunday's 27-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He said Tuesday that tests found no fracture, and doctors diagnosed a third-degree sprain that likely will sideline Maualuga for at least one more game.
The Bengals (4-2) have their bye week, then play at Seattle.
Maualuga will wear a pink cast on the left leg for a few more days, then try to start rehabilitation.
"Only time will tell how long I will be out," Maualuga said. "I am just taking it day by day. Good thing we have a bye this week where I can rest it. I will only be in this cast for a couple days, so it's nothing too serious. I just hope I can come back and play football soon."
Maualuga broke the same ankle during his rookie season in 2009, forcing him to miss the regular-season finale and a playoff loss to the New York Jets. He initially believed that he'd suffered another severe injury last Thursday when he hurt the ankle during practice.
"I was just thinking the worst," Maualuga said. "You have to set yourself up for that, then when you get the good news be happy about it and know it's just a couple of weeks and not months."
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
