Dolphins win with overtime safety

Cameron Wake sacked Andy Dalton for a safety with 6:38 left in overtime, and the Miami Dolphins beat the Cincinnati Bengals 22-20 Thursday night in Miami Gardens, Fla.

On third-and-10 from the 8, Dalton retreated to the goal line and was tackled by Wake coming up the middle for the third overtime safety in NFL history. The officials signaled safety, and the call was upheld following a replay review.

Wake had three sacks, and Cincinnati committed four turnovers that might have meant a difference of 17 points.

Mike Nugent kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:24 remaining in regulation to put the Bengals ahead, but Miami answered with a 50-yard drive, and Caleb Sturgis made a 44-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to force overtime.

The Benals’ All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins was hurt in the second quarter and Cincinnati fears he may be out for the season.

Coach Marvin Lewis said the initial diagnosis was a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

49ers’ Smith activated

All-Pro San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was activated to the roster from the non-football injury list.

Smith had been undergoing rehab at an in-patient facility for substance abuse since late September and missed five games. With San Francisco (6-2) on its bye this week, Smith could resume practicing and working out on his own, then formally practice next week ahead of a Nov. 10 home game against the Carolina Panthers.

Lewis misses practice

Buffalo Bills quarterback Thad Lewis missed his second straight practice and remains questionable for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

If Lewis is unable to play, the Bills (3-5) will start either undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel (Washington State) or newly signed free agent Matt Flynn.

Martin out with issues

A person familiar with the situation said Miami Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin left the team to receive professional assistance for emotional issues.

Meriweather ’sorry’

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith released a statement saying that Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather “is passionate about the game, and I know he is sorry for what he said. … Brandon knows that all players have a responsibility to each other and to play within the rules of the game.”

Meriweather returned Monday from a one-game suspension for illegal hits targeting the head and said he’ll have “to take people’s knees out” and cause career-ending injuries because he can no longer hit receivers high.