[s-cars] Potential connection between bent valves and subsequent rod bearing failure?

[David Forgie]

We all know that if the timing belt breaks, there will be bent valves (typically intake valves) because 
the AAN is an "interference" engine.  Several of us have been trying to help diagnose a knocking 
noise in a new UrS4 owners car on AudiWorld.  The owner insisted it was coming from the head but
 we were skeptical.  At the suggestion of one poster, the owner bought an automotive stethoscope
 from Harbour Freight and after he got it, he pin-pointed the knock to low in the block.  He dropped 
the oil pan (no small job on an AAN in the subframe) and discovered that one of the rod bearings 
was gone/in pieces (in the pan).  I asked him which cylinder and he replied: "Cylinder 3. So far I 
have burned a valve, then bent two valves and now disintegrated a bearing, all in that cylinder."

I can't help him with the burnt valve, but I am wondering if the bent valves came from a timing belt
 "issue", it could mean that the force of the piston hitting the valves, which would have been
 transmitted to the crank, via the rod and the rod bearing, may have been enough to damage the rod 
bearings.

Does that seem possible?  It's the only co-relation I can think of but it might not be valid.

Dave F.