Bengals cornerback Trae Waynes is expected to play on Sunday against the Broncos. 

The 29-year-old hasn't played since Week 5 due to a hamstring injury. The Bengals have to activate him from injured reserve, but he's impressed the coaching staff in practice over the past few weeks. 

"We feel better about him playing with just one more week of normal football activities," head coach Zac Taylor said on Friday. "He was wanting to play last week and felt like he could do it, we just had to make sure we were doing the right thing by him. So this week we feel better about it." 

Waynes' return couldn't come at a better time. Top cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is on the COVID-19 reserve list and has been ruled out for Sunday's game. 

Vernon Hargreaves has been dealing with an illness and his status is in question for Sunday. 

He has a chance to play, but the Bengals needed a boost. They're hoping Waynes can provide that in Denver. 

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