Thursday, November 22, 2001
Bengals receivers may play through injuries
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Wide receiver Chad Johnson is getting well just in time. Johnson, the outside speed threat, broke his collarbone Oct.14 against the Browns. He has missed four games but has been upgraded to probable, while the Bengals' other outside receiver, Darnay Scott, is questionable with bruised ribs.
Johnson and Scott say they will play; Scott will wear a flak jacket.
“I'm going to do what I have to to play,” Scott said Wednesday. “I got hit at the end of the (Tennessee) game. If I get hit (Sunday), there's going to be a fight.”
Johnson predicted a big game for himself and his team.
“When you're hurt, you got to come back slow,” Johnson said. “We don't have time for me to come back slow. I bet we win five of seven (games).”
Johnson has 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown and had become Jon Kitna's favorite third-down target before the injury.
PLAYING FAVORITES: The Browns are favored by six points over the Bengals, the first time in their two-plus seasons and 42 games the expansion Browns have been favored.
Browns cornerback Corey Fuller doesn't understand how his team is favored.
“I don't know how they favored us against the Bengals,” Fuller said. “The Bengals done beat us here, they done beat us there, they done beat us convincingly.”
The Bengals have won four of five games against the Browns. Cleveland's only victory was 24-7 in the opening game at Paul Brown Stadium on Sept.10, 2000.
INJURY UPDATE: Scott didn't practice Wednesday, neither did safety JoJuan Armour (ankle) nor running back Corey Dillon (knee). All are probable for Sunday. Tight end Tony McGee (knee), who's not listed on the injury report, also didn't practice.
DONATION: The Bengals expect to make a little more than $25,000 from their part in playing host to the high school playoff doubleheader Nov.10.
On Wednesday, the team announced it will give that $25,000, plus a matching gift of $25,000, to Cincinnati Public Schools to renovate the lights at the Walnut Hills High School athletic field.
The Bengals also gave $50,000 to the school system a year ago to improve lighting and the scoreboard at Aiken High School.
“It makes a statement to the students that they matter to the Bengals,” Cincinnati Public Schools board president Rick Williams said. “We are grateful for it.”
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Bengals receivers may play through injuries