DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Bengals fans are going to see a familiar face when the Houston Texans' offense takes the field at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Kevin Walter, a sixth-year veteran who played for the Bengals from 2003-05, teams with Andre Johnson as the Texans' starting wide receivers.

Walter has 24 receptions for 293 yards (12.2) and three touchdowns.

"Kevin has become a great receiver," Johnson said. "His game is improving every day, and he's going to continue to get better. He's pretty excited about playing against the Bengals."

Walter caught 19 passes for 211 yards and a TD during the Bengals' 2005 playoff season, and led the squad with 15 solo tackles on special teams.

But the Bengals lost him when they refused to match the four-year, $6 million offer sheet Walter signed with Houston as a restricted free agent.

"He helps me out a whole lot," Johnson said. "Whereas before, people would always say we had to get another guy here to help out, he's come in and done a great job."

'Sick of airports'

Quarterback Jeff Rowe, who was re-signed to the practice squad, stayed busy after he was waived in final cuts Aug. 30.

Rowe worked out for Jacksonville, Carolina, Kansas City, Houston, Cleveland and Indianapolis during his time away from the Bengals.

"I'm sick of airports," said Rowe, who makes his home in Reno, Nev. "I'd fly in on Monday, workout on Tuesday and fly back on Tuesday night. But it was fun meeting all the quarterback coaches and seeing all the teams' facilities. It was a great learning experience."

Banged up

Rookie wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell got to play against Pittsburgh, and both pulled up lame. Caldwell is on crutches with a stress fracture in his left foot, while Simpson is wearing a boot after spraining his right ankle.

Injury report

QB Carson Palmer (right elbow) and Caldwell are out.

Simpson joined seven others who didn't practice — wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ankle) and Antonio Chatman (ankle), cornerbacks David Jones (knee) and Jamar Fletcher (hamstring), safety Kyries Hebert (ankle), tight end Nate Lawrie (back) and linebacker Corey Mays (ankle).

Quote machine

"You don't get to this point in your professional career and fold the tent when things are bad." — Houshmandzadeh

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