DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Rudi Johnson hears the whispers that he's done, finished, kaput; that he's lost a step from seven years of pounding; that his job's on the line and he's on his way out.

Well, to paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of Johnson's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

"Trust me, I'm alive and well," Johnson said in preparation for the Bengals' preseason home opener against Detroit tonight, Aug. 17. "Everything is good, man."

Johnson, who missed two weeks of training camp with a strained right hamstring, returned to practice Wednesday and showed good burst and quickness after two weeks of rehab — signs that he's ready to take some snaps against the Lions.

Now he can concentrate on wrestling the starting job away from Chris Perry, who seized it in Johnson's absence.

"I wanted to make sure that when I came back, I came back healthy instead of coming back and nursing something like I did last year," Johnson said. "The trainers did a good job on me. I'm ready to pick up where I left off. I'm good to go."

Johnson has 1,441 carries for 5,742 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and 48 TDs in seven seasons. But an injury-marred 2007 (left hamstring) has clouded his future. In order to regain his status as one of the league's most durable backs, Johnson must prove he can stay healthy.

Look for Johnson, Perry and Kenny Watson to share snaps this season. The tailback-by-committee approach won't be embraced by fantasy players, but it will help prolong Johnson's career. Are you ready to share the load?

"We'll do what we've got to do," Johnson said. "If everybody makes plays, there will be more opportunity for everybody."

Kitna returns

Former Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna returns to Paul Brown Stadium for the first time since his departure to Detroit after the 2005 season.

Kitna, the Lions' starter for a third straight season, played 53 games, starting 46, for the Bengals from 2001-05.

He ranks fifth in Bengals history in completions (1,009), passing yards (10,707) and passing TDs (59). He started for three years (2001-03) after being acquired as an unrestricted free agent from Seattle. Kitna served as Carson Palmer's backup in 2004-05.

Britt to IR

Rookie guard Justin Britt (Alabama) cleared waivers and has reverted to the Bengals' injured-reserve list. Britt, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained during training camp, had been waived Thursday.

Today's game

Who: Detroit Lions (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

When: 7:35 p.m.

TV: WKEF-TV (ABC, Channel 22)

Radio: WLW-AM (700), WTUE-FM (104.7)

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.