CINCINNATI -- Vontaze Burfict should not play Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Tennessee Titans at Paul Brown Stadium.

There. It's been said.

Because the third-year Pro Bowl player was listed as doubtful on the Bengals' injury report released Friday, chances already were strong that he wasn't going to suit up. Still, since he wasn't declared as "out" for the game, the possibility that he could play one week after suffering his second concussion of the two-week-old season exists.

It shouldn't.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told reporters Friday that Burfict was still under concussion protocol and that he would continue to get evaluated over the weekend. Although Burfict didn't practice at all this week, he could end up playing as long as he clears the protocol. He's one of those rare players who the Bengals would let play even if he didn't practice in the few days leading up to a game.

The fact Burfict wasn't allowed to take a step on the Bengals' practice fields seems to suggest he won't come off the protocol by 1 p.m. ET Sunday. But you never know.

It's one thing to have concussions. They are part of football. They are going to happen. But it's altogether when concussions come seven days apart.

On Monday, during his news conference following the Bengals' 24-10 win against Atlanta, Lewis said he couldn't be concerned with Burfict's status. At the time, it was still believed Burfict had a simple stinger. He left in the third quarter of last Sunday's game after his head collided with teammate Emmanuel Lamur's knee.

Specifically, Lewis was referring to how the team had to put more focus on preparing for life without the intimidating tackler instead of dwelling on his injury.

"We have to play with what we've got," Lewis said Monday. "Vontaze will have to overcome whatever he has, and we'll keep moving on. It's football."

But here's why there should be some concern about Burfict. Concussion science is far from exact, but at this stage it's better to err on the side of caution given how close together his concussions happened.

With the heightened focus the NFL has placed on its concussion policy, it just seems odd that a player on concussion protocol would even be able to entertain thoughts of playing the week after suffering a concussion.

The following is from a lengthy conversation about head injuries Friday with ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell.

"When you suffer that type of injury a second time so closely after the first time," Bell said, "it raises the level of concern."

That makes sense. So does this in response to a question regarding the benefit of resting Burfict this week ahead of next week's bye.

"No doubt the bye week is beneficial, but it does not guarantee that he will suddenly be back in Week 5," Bell said. "These things evolve at their own rate and each one is unique. Even the same name of injury to the same athlete can have a very different presentation that second time."

Meaning, just because Burfict had a concussion in one spot of his brain at Baltimore in Week 1, it doesn't mean he suffered one in the exact same spot last week against Atlanta. It also means he's far from a lock to play Week 5 at New England.

Bell's best advice for us all, Burfict included?

"To sit back and see how it evolves."

If the Bengals care about having a comparatively healthy Burfict by the end of the season, they won't play him this week.