CINCINNATI (AP) — Between Week 3 and Week 5, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden used a rotation at middle linebacker between veteran and team captain Logan Wilson and rookie Barrett Carter.

But then for last Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Carter took over as the starter and played every snap.

“It definitely builds a lot of confidence,” Carter said. “That’s what they told us coming in: They didn’t draft us to come in and not play. That’s what the plan was. For us to come in and help this team.”

Carter played all 61 defensive snaps in the Bengals’ 27-18 loss to the Packers.

Only the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns are counting on rookies more than the Bengals, who could possibly start five rookies this Thursday against the first-place Pittsburgh St

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