Ryan Whalen called his parents and his fianceè first after the game Sunday. They were back home in California and watched the second-year Bengals wide receiver on TV.

It was a bittersweet feeling for Whalen. He caught four passes for 31 yards in his 2012 debut — leading the team in both categories — but the Bengals lost 24-17 to the Steelers.

“It was great to get out there and play,” said Whalen, a sixth-round pick in 2011 out of Stanford. “I’ve been preparing personally for the first six weeks, getting ready for that. We’ve got a lot of good receivers on this team. We’re all ready to play in different positions. Unfortunately, the game didn’t go how we wanted.

“We’ve just got to get back to work and keep working to get better,” he continued. “It was great to get that experience and play Sunday Night Football. It was a thrill.”

Whalen, 23, was inactive for the first six games. Against the Steelers, he took the place of Armon Binns, who had 18 catches in the first six games but missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury.

Whalen said he stayed sharp when he was inactive by staying focused in meetings, watching practices and staying after practice to run extra routes.

Last year, Whalen appeared in four games and had a total of four catches, three in the second-to-last game of the season against Arizona. He had no idea he would be so productive Sunday.

“You’re prepared to play a lot,” he said. “You’re prepared to be targeted a lot every game. Whether that happens or not, you want to put yourself in the best position, so if that does happen, you’re ready.”

The Bengals have been searching for a No. 2 receiver to complement A.J. Green, who ranks third in the NFL with 636 yards and is tied for the league lead with seven touchdown receptions.

“It’s been an issue,” offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said. “Whalen had some good plays. (Brandon) Tate only played eight or nine snaps, but we only had 50 plays. We dropped a slant. (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) dropped a check down. Jermaine dropped a pass. We had four drops. We have to get more production from everyone else.”

Whalen isn’t sure what his role is going forward. He plans to be ready for whatever comes his way. He also knows he would rather be playing this weekend.

The bye week just gives all the Bengals more time to think about the Steelers’ loss and the three-game skid that has left them 3-4 heading into a Nov. 4 game against Denver at Paul Brown Stadium.

“You don’t want that bad taste in your mouth,” Whalen said, “especially having the extra week to wait for it. In the same sense, it’s a good time so we can regroup and prepare and look at ourselves and see how we can improve.”