A.J. Green

A.J. Green hasn't made much of an impact since he returned from a toe injury, and the Bengals need that to change if they're going to get their offense turned around.

Green was held to three harmless catches for 23 yards during a 23-3 loss to Cleveland last Thursday night. In his two games back, Green has only six catches for 67 yards and one touchdown. The injury has him on pace for his lowest totals in four seasons with Cincinnati.

The Bengals (5-3-1) have been extremely inconsistent with Green hobbled by an injured right big toe since the season opener. And now they enter the toughest stretch of their schedule with three consecutive road games, starting Sunday at New Orleans (4-5). It's the first time they've had to play three straight games on the road since 2003. They need to get Green back into form, and fast.

"I know it's easy to point him out because he's one of the quote-unquote stars of our football team," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "But we've got to continue to grow back with him, getting him back in sync with us and give him the opportunities to make those plays."

It's been a struggle just keeping him on the field, but he did play most of the offensive plays against Cleveland, the story said. It's at least a small positive. Also, the Browns Joe Haden shut down Green again — a common theme in their one-on-one meetings, the story pointed out. The Bengals play on the road at New Orleans in Week 11.