Bengals wide receiver Darnay Scott told the team he hasn't attended recent voluntary workouts because of the shooting death of a friend back home in St.Louis. But Scott has assured the team he will be at workouts today.

        Scott was unavailable for comment.

        Bengals receivers coach Steve Mooshagian had expressed concern about Scott's absence from the workouts, explaining that Scott was having problems adjusting mentally to working out on his left leg. Scott broke his tibia and fibula, the two lower leg bones, in August and missed the 2000 NFL season.

        But Mooshagian wishes Scott would have let him know what was going on.

        “I gotta respect him for his feelings,” Mooshagian said. “Let's clear it up, clean it up and move ahead.

        “He cares about his teammates, and he cares about playing. His inability to communicate properly leads people to conclusions. I trust him — that he's doing what's in his best interest. I'm not upset with him.”

        Even before head coach Dick LeBeau had heard the reason for Scott's delay, he said he was confident the receiver would be ready for training camp July 20.

        “Last time I saw him, he was right on schedule,” LeBeau said. “I'd rather focus on the 99 percent of guys that are here.”

        Besides recovering from the injury, Scott will have to learn the system being installed by new offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who was hired in January.

        “He's talked to the new coordinator,” said Scott's agent, Rocky Arceneaux. “He's actually excited.”

        Said Mooshagian: “The mental part is more important to us. He's a proven player, but on the other hand, it's a new system.”

        Scott, the Bengals' second-round draft pick in 1994, is expected to have a key role in helping revive a pass offense that ranked last in the NFL in 2000.

        Arceneaux said the only problem Scott has now is endurance, because the receiver's cardiovascular workouts have been limited.

        “I think he's ready to go,” Arceneaux said. “He's in pretty good shape. He just needs to get his weight down.”

Judge OKs Bengals seating deal Scott still no-show at Bengals workouts

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