Geno Atkins cleared despite sickle cell trait

During the 2011 playoffs, then-Steelers safety Ryan Clark sat out a game at Denver due to concerns over how his condition carrying the sickle cell trait, a genetic abnormality affecting red blood cells, would handle high altitude.

He sat out a game in Denver the following season as well as a precaution because in 2007 he lost his spleen in gall bladder due to pain caused playing in the thin air with his condition.

Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins also carries the sickle cell trait, but don’t look for him to follow Clark’s lead. He’s cleared to play in Denver. This actually won’t be his first game there. His second career start came there in 2011. In that game, a 24-22 Broncos victory, Atkins played 29 snaps, contributed two tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a quarterback hit.

Marvin Lewis chatted with Atkins this week about the situation and Atkins did remember one detail from the game.

“I asked Geno, you remember much?” Lewis said. “He said, ‘Yeah, you all left me out there 15 plays in a row.’ And that was his second time ever starting. It’s something we are conscious of. We will be conscious of him with it on Monday.”

Those with the carrier trait don’t have health problems related to it, but during strenuous exercise or high altitudes can be prone to dehydration or trouble breathing. Hydration, rest, diet and proper cooling off can help with managing the trait. Atkins, 27, worked with Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 2013 on a promotional campaign to raise awareness for sickle cell.

Atkins currently ranks second in the NFL among interior defensive linemen in sacks (10.0) and consistently been the most disruptive player on the Bengals defense. Part of his success stems to a rotation which allows him a breather with Brandon Thompson or Pat Sims filling into his spot. Atkins averages 75-80 percent of defensive snaps.

Atkins has not spoken at any length to reporters this season, but the defensive tackle did discuss playing with the trait for a 2013 feature by Fox Sports.

“I remember just running to the bench to get a tank of oxygen because I was just dead tired,” he said in the piece. “That was the first time I felt fatigued, tired and couldn’t really catch my breath as if we were in Cincinnati. You are still able to (play at a high level) as long as you are aware of it and take the proper steps.”

Both the Bengals staff and Atkins will monitor his fatigue level as the game goes on.

“Basically the way he rotates anyway it’s not that big of a deal particularly at that position,” Lewis said. “He’s aware, we’re aware.”

PLAYER MOVE: The Bengals waived cornerback Troy Hill on Thursday and promoted corner Chris Lewis-Harris from the practice squad to 53-man roster.

Lewis-Harris has played in five games this season and was on the practice squad for the last two games. Hill spent most of this season on the practice squad and played in the last three games, with three tackles on defense and three special teams stops.

Expectations for the Bengals are to return Hill to the practice squad once he clears waivers.

OFF DAY: The Bengals adjusted the schedule this week — as did the Broncos — to give the team Christmas Day off. Instead, they started a day earlier than normal in relation to the Monday game. They will fly out to Denver on Saturday afternoon and hold a practice in Denver on Sunday.

INJURY REPORT: Tyler Eifert (concussion) still did not participate in practice for the second consecutive day but did work out on the side keeping alive the chance he could participate in Monday’s game at Denver.

Vontaze Burfict (knee) didn’t take part in Thursday’s practice, but that’s the third consecutive week he’s taken the Thursday practice off to keep his knee fresh.

Safety George Iloka (groin) didn’t practice, but worked out on a side field. Emmanuel Lamur (hamstring) and Vincent Rey (hamstring) both were limited participants.

Meanwhile, Leon Hall (back) and Dre Kirkpatrick returned to practice after missing Wednesday.