Lamont Thompson made his Bengals debut Wednesday — in street clothes. The rookie free safety spent the day attending classes, meeting with coaches and watching practice.

        But true to his position and that of his agent, Thompson will not participate in any physical activity that would pose an injury risk.

        Agent Michael Sullivan and the Bengals are at odds over the team's unwillingness to provide written injury protection that guarantees the club will give Thompson the same $1.4million signing bonus the 41st overall draft pick received in 2001.

        “I'm coming in with a positive attitude that something can be resolved in the near future,” Thompson said of a contract, which would settle the injury protection dispute.

        Thompson, who had 24 career interceptions at Washington State and had been listed No.1 at free safety, flew in late Tuesday night.

        He met with safeties coach Darren Perry beginning at 7a.m. He then took a tour of the stadium and went into another meeting with Perry and other young defensive backs. He took a physical, watched practice from the sidelines with Perry and planned to workout by running and lifting weights.

        “He doesn't know anything,” Perry said. “We're just trying to get him caught up on as much as possible. It's a small step, but a step. Lamont's a good kid, but this is part of the business.”

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