Vaughn Booker may never know what hit him five weeks ago. All he knows is he's ready to hit.

        “(Forget) it, I'm back,” the Bengals defensive end said Friday. “Last week it was good just being around these guys, but now I'm going on the field and going to war with them.”

        His fainting spell Sept.17 at Jacksonville, the result of a temporary period of reduced blood pressure, caused Booker to miss three games. He underwent testing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to rule out any potential heart problems.

        The Taft High grad returned to the team last week, but a sore knee kept him inactive. He plans to play Sunday against Denver.

        “My whole career — not even when I was in little league — I've never missed four games in a season,” he said. “It was a different thing to go through.

        “I'm glad the organization was real cautious about my health. They showed they cared about me, not only as a football player but also as a person. I'm a father and a husband, so there's a lot more things I am than just a football player.”

        Booker started the first two games at left end, but Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said Booker probably won't start Sunday. Michael Bankston has started at left end the past four weeks.

        “We're going to keep a close watch on Vaughn,” LeBeau said. “He practiced very well Wednesday. His goal Wednesday was to get it as close to game speed as he could and just see how he reacted. It was a positive reaction.”

        Booker said his knee is still sore, but he won't let it bother him.

        “I'll go out there and do what I can, push it to the limit,” he said. “My teammates have rallied behind me and welcomed me back. I want to come out and have a good game.”

Bengals' Booker returning to play Pelfrey not gloating Scott visits practice

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