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Longer timetable for Henry?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
CINCINNATI — Bengals fans shouldn't count on seeing suspended wide receiver Chris Henry in uniform at Dallas on Oct. 5. He may need more time to get ready.
The team plans to apply to the league office for a roster exemption on Henry so he won't count against the 53-man roster when he returns to practice next week.
Henry was suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. His suspension ends Monday, Sept. 29, when he resumes full team activities.
For Henry to play in a game, the team will have to clear a spot on the active roster.
"We will not have to make a move Monday with Chris Henry, so you can relax," head coach Marvin Lewis said.
Setting the 'Tone'
Wide receiver Antonio Chatman, known by his teammates as "Tone," has returned eight punts for 84 yards, good for a 10.5-yard average.
He had an 11-yarder against Baltimore, a 34-yarder against Tennessee and a 21-yarder against the New York Giants.
Chatman averaged 5.2 yards on 18 returns in 2007. What's the difference this year?
"I'm healthy," Chatman said. "Plus, the guys have been working real hard, giving me time to catch the ball and see (blockers) where I can get going. That's been the main focus — give me room where I can make somebody miss."
Injury report
Strong safety Dexter Jackson has been ruled out for the third straight game because of a fractured thumb on his left hand.
The thumb is healing, thanks to pins and screws, but there's no timetable for his return.
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle), defensive tackle John Thornton (knee) and free safety Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring) did not practice.
Four others — cornerbacks Jamar Fletcher (illness) and David Jones (knee), strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe (groin) and tight end Ben Utecht (chest) — were limited.
Breakout game?
Tailback Chris Perry wants to break the 100-yard rushing barrier against Cleveland.
"Let's hope so," he said. "I have a job to do, and I've got to get better."
Perry has 60 carries for 180 yards (3.0) and two touchdowns.
His 25-yard burst against the New York Giants was Cincinnati's longest TD run since Rudi Johnson's 36-yarder against Denver on Oct. 25, 2004 — a 23-10 Bengals' home victory on "Monday Night Football."
"The key is me — making the right cuts and making them (the offensive linemen) look good," Perry said.
Pope returns
As expected, cornerback Geoffrey Pope cleared waivers and returned to the practice squad.
Pope was signed to the 53-man roster last week for the game against the Giants. He was released on Tuesday when the club signed Fletcher. There was room for Pope on the practice squad because the Bengals released wideout Maurice Purify.
