The Bengals have been hit hard by injuries at linebacker, running back, safety and wide receiver.

The situation forced them into more moves Tuesday, when they placed linebacker Lemar Marshall (torn Achilles' tendon) on the injured reserve list and claimed linebacker Corey Mays off waivers from New England.

Mays, a second-year NFL player from Notre Dame whose contract runs through this year, played in the Patriots' season opener and made one tackle on special teams. He was inactive for Games 2 and 3 and was waived prior to Monday's game against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals' run defense has been hurt because of the problems at linebacker, where projected preseason starters Rashad Jeanty (calf) and Ahmad Brooks (groin) have missed four and two games, respectively.

In the 34-13 loss to New England Monday night, rookie safety Chinedum Ndukwe and end Robert Geathers played some snaps at linebacker. At the end of the night, the Bengals' only healthy linebackers were Dhani Jones, whom they signed two weeks ago, and Anthony Schlegel, who was picked up in early September off waivers from the Jets.

A look at the aches and pains on the depth chart:

WIDE RECEIVER: Starters Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have played in all four games this season, but key backups Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman have missed two games each because of hamstring injuries. Chatman was supposed to be the No. 1 punt return man, and Perry is the top kickoff return specialist, third receiver and an important cover man on punt and kickoff units.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Right tackle Willie Anderson started all four games but played only one series against New England. Backup Scott Kooistra struggled against the Patriots' speed rushers. Guard Stacy Andrews has been limited by a shoulder injury, and projected starting center Eric Ghiaciuc played in only one game because of neck and thumb injuries, though backup Alex Stepanovich has filled in well. Left tackle Levi Jones, who is at odds with coaches, has been limited because of his rehabilitation from knee problems, though he started Monday night.

RUNNING BACK: Starting tailback Rudi Johnson missed the New England game because of a hamstring injury. Rookie Kenny Irons was lost for the year in the preseason because of a serious knee injury. Former first-round pick Chris Perry opened the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and is eligible to return to practice after the Kansas City game Oct. 14.

LINEBACKER: The meeting room for coach Ricky Hunley's group has looked like a MASH unit. The team is hopeful to have Jeanty and Brooks back against Kansas City. Landon Johnson left the game Monday night after getting poked in the eye, and Caleb Miller missed the game with a back injury. Schlegel is playing with a turf toe injury.

Now Marshall, who has played well defensively and in the kicking game, is lost for the season. He started the first four games at strong-side linebacker and closes his season with a forced fumble and 10 tackles, including a sack for a safety at Seattle.

Without consistent and healthy linebackers, the Bengals will continue to be highly susceptible to the run. After four games this season, they are allowing an average of 152 yards per game on the ground.

SAFETY: Ethan Kilmer, who finished second on the team last year with 18 tackles on special teams, had knee surgery at the end of the preseason and the Bengals are hoping to have him back for the Chiefs game. Ndukwe missed two games because of hamstring problems and proved his value Monday night with five tackles and a hit on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The Bengals held spots on their 53-man roster for Kilmer, Jeanty and Chatman, knowing they would not be available for some of the early-season games.

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