Bengals rookie safety Lamont Thompson was watching earlier this week when starting cornerback Artrell Hawkins injured a knee ligament during the voluntary workout.

        Thompson is not participating in any drills or practice that pose a legitimate injury threat. He reported late Tuesday and watched his third practice Friday.

        Michael Sullivan, his agent, advised Thompson not to participate until he signs or receives written injury protection from the Bengals that bridges the $225,000 first-year tender and the $1.4 million signing bonus received by the 41st overall player drafted the previous year.

        “I think my representative is doing the right thing by looking out for my best interests,” Thompson said Friday. “It's a game where injuries occur. You have to protect yourself at all costs out here.

        “But, at the same time, I'd love nothing more than to be out there going through the same thing my teammates are going through. But I've just got to play through them and learn the best way possible.”

        Thompson has been shadowing Darren Perry, his position coach.

        On Friday, Thompson stood on the sideline and watched practice with fellow rookie safety Marquand Manuel. Manuel, who is signed and practicing, was pointing out assignments to Thompson.

        “I'm trying to pick up as much as possible,” Thompson said. “Coach is extremely patient with me, even though I missed some time. I'm getting it, though.”

        Coach Dick LeBeau said he was happy to see Thompson show up.

        “It will help us a lot in the long run that he was exposed to that,” LeBeau said.

        INJURY REPORT: Wide receiver Danny Farmer suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in his right leg Friday and will fly home to Los Angeles to have it examined by doctors at UCLA.

        “I would estimate two weeks right now,” Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said.

        Defensive tackle Glen Steele will return to practice Tuesday, more than three weeks after suffering a knee injury during minicamp.

        Tight ends Sean Brewer and Matt Schobel continue to be limited in voluntary workouts.

        “We're going to give them a lot of rest in June, except for conditioning,” Sparling said. “They're both going to be here off and on, but we're going to give them very comprehensive programs to work on. Our goal is to have them 100 percent by July 25.”

        Hawkins will be in next week to begin treatment for his knee injury, which will keep him out 6-8 weeks. He also should be ready for the start of training camp.

        And defensive end Reinard Wilson continues to heal well from arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

        BIRDIE: LeBeau, a scratch golfer, set a personal record Thursday when he hit birdies on seven of 18 holes. His previous high was six birdies for 18 holes. One of the seven was hit in from a bunker.

        THREE WEEKS: After three weeks of voluntary workouts, LeBeau is pleased by his team's performance than his golf game.

        “The focus, the energy have been very good,” he said. “It has been very good from our leading veteran players. We have made some significant strides.”

        SAD NOTE: Molly E. Anderson, 19, the Union, Ky., teen injured in a Friday morning accident on southbound Interstate 75 in Boone County, is the daughter of Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson.

        Molly Anderson, who has several broken bones, was listed in critical condition Friday, and her passenger, Jennifer Roberts, 18, of Newtown, was in stable condition in the emergency room.

        Shortly after 3 a.m., a 2001 Toyota Celica driven by Anderson allegedly changed lanes into the path of a tractor-trailer truck driven by Michael Wheelock of Clarksville, Tenn. According to the Boone County Sheriff's office, the Celica was hit by the front tires of the truck and bounced away from the truck, striking a guard rail.

        Wheelock was uninjured. According to the sheriff's office, the three were wearing seat belts and there was no known alcohol involvement.

Thompson engages mind, not body, in practice Dolphins excited about Turner's offense Eagles' Lewis promotes NFL in Asia, returns for camp San Diego ponders whether it can afford to keep Chargers

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Louisville 9, Ottawa 7
M's Martinez transferred to 60-day DL
NL roundup
AL roundup
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Dayton QB suspended one game for DUI
It's a grind, and the athletes love it
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Julian just happy to still be playing the game
PGA Memorial results
Texas twosome tango for lead
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Maradona denied Japanese visa
Mathis on verge of becoming world star
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Indy 500 has fastest field ever
No double-duty for Stewart
Hasek confident, Roy desperate on eve of Game 4
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Kings 103, Lakers 90
Lakers done in by early mistakes against Kings
Nets tend to bounce back after a bad game
Spurs' Robinson to retire after 2002-03 season
Withrow's Hunter out of NBA draft
Baldwin resigns as USOC president
Coming up this week
Milford rolls to first district title
Freshman Detzel leads Colerain girls
Hartman heats up for Firebirds
Lebanon rolls into regional
Lewis, offense lead Anderson
McNick district champs
Preps results
Preps schedule

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