A.J. Green leads Cincinnati Bengals over Miami Dolphins

Bengals receiver A.J. Green followed his disappointing game with a dominating one — 173 yards and a touchdown — and the Cincinnati defense that was inspired by Vontaze Burfict’s retu clamped down on the Miami Dolphins for a 22-7 victory Thursday night.

The Bengals (3-1) rebounded from a 29-17 home loss to Denver on Sunday with a solid all-around game against a depleted team.

Green led the way, beating the Dolphins (1-3) on every type of route. He was upset with himself after he dropped a pivotal third-down pass and failed to make an impact against the Broncos.

During the first three quarters, Green had 166 receiving yards while Miami had 152 total yards. The Bengals’ season-long problem of stalling out near the goal line forced them to settle for Mike Nugent’s season-high five field goals.

The Dolphins were missing four starting offensive linemen, two linebackers, running back Arian Foster and tight end Jordan Cameron. They had one big play — Ryan Tannehill threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills — but couldn’t do anything else on offense.

The Bengals’ defense expected to get a lift from Burfict’s retu. The volatile linebacker was suspended by the NFL for the first three games because of his illegal hits. He got a loud ovation when he ran onto the field during introductions wearing a baseball cap. Burfict knocked down a pass and had three tackles.

Mostly, it was Green’s show. He caught a 51-yard pass off Andy Dalton’s scramble in the first half, and had a 43-yard catch that set up another field goal in the third quarter for a 19-7 lead. He finished with 10 catches.

Gordon to rehab

Josh Gordon isn’t going back on the field until he gets a tighter grip on his life.

The suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver, whose talent has been little more than a tease for several years as he battled personal demons, said he’s entering rehab and putting his promising NFL career on hold.

Gordon was eligible to retu from his latest four-game suspension next week and possibly play on Oct. 9 against New England. However, the troubled 25-year-old’s future is again uncertain after he chose to seek professional help.

“After careful thought and deep consideration I’ve decided that I need to step away from pursuing my retu to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility,” Gordon said.

“This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person.”

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“I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process.”

Gordon has been suspended by the NFL in the past for marijuana and alcohol abuse. He did not indicate why he’s seeking treatment.

The Browns had been encouraged by the progress Gordon seemed to be making during his suspension, which followed him being banned for one year by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Gordon met with Goodell a few months ago and was being given another chance to get his personal life in order.

The former Pro Bowler has only been able to attend meetings with the Browns during his latest suspension. When they practiced, Gordon was not allowed to join them on the field. He was not permitted to speak with the media and rarely acknowledged reporters when he came into the locker room.

Further ban for Gregory

Randy Gregory has been suspended 10 games by the NFL on top of the four-game ban the Dallas defensive end was already serving for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The announcement was expected after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Gregory had withdrawn his appeal.

Gregory won’t be eligible until Week 16, before Dallas’ Monday night game against Detroit on Dec. 26.

The second-year player from Nebraska slid to the Cowboys at the end of the second round in the 2015 draft after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine. According to the labor agreement, four positive marijuana tests can lead to a 10-game suspension.

The 23-year-old Gregory rejoined the team this month after spending time in rehab.

Surgery for Watt

A person familiar with J.J. Watt’s condition says the Houston Texans’ star defensive lineman had back surgery Thursday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Watt was placed on the injured reserve Wednesday with a back injury.

It’s his second back surgery in two months after he missed training camp and Houston’s four preseason games after surgery in July to repair a heiated disk. He started each of the team’s three regular-season games and was hurt again Thursday night against the New England Patriots.

Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, will miss a game for the first time in his career Sunday after starting 83 straight games since he was drafted in the first round in 2011.

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