Dick LeBeau had his chance Monday to sound off about the rumor that he could be replaced by one of his close friends, Chicago Bears coach Dick Jauron.

        Both Bengals and Bears officials on Sunday night denied a Fox Television report stating that Bengals president Mike Brown wanted to offer Jauron the dual roles of coach and general manager in Cincinnati.

        LeBeau was asked about the report at his Monday news conference.

        “I'm glad you asked me that question,” he said. “You've given me a chance to smile a little bit. Dick is a good friend of mine, but last I heard, he's got a job, a job that he just signed a contract for.

        “That's an interesting story. Dick Jauron's a hell of a man. It gives me cause to smile, which is a good thing right now.”

        LeBeau's Bengals are 0-5 and have been outscored 147-44. This season was supposed to be the one in which the Bengals stopped their 11-year playoff drought.

        NO MORE: Wide receiver Peter Warrick has been removed permanently as the Bengals' punt returner.

        Warrick fumbled and lost a punt at the Bengals 5-yard line during Sunday's 28-21 loss at Indianapolis. The Colts recovered and scored a touchdown a few plays later.

        “T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) will be running punts back, and if we go with a second punt returner, it will be (cornerback) Jeff Burris,” LeBeau said.

        BURRIS BURNS: Burris again declined to talk Monday about his performance against the Colts.

        Indianapolis wide receiver Marvin Harrison had nine receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown, and Burris was responsible for coverage most of the day. Burris did tip a Peyton Manning pass intended for Harrison in the end zone that the Bengals' other starting cornerback, Artrell Hawkins, intercepted.

        “I think Jeff has been a steady corner so far, but I want to see him make more plays for us,” LeBeau said.

        Burris played for Indianapolis for the past four seasons. The Colts let him go after they signed free-agent cornerback Walk Harris from the Bears on March 15.

        The Bengals also wanted to sign Harris, who visited Cincinnati before signing with the Colts. Harris had his first two interceptions of the season Sunday against the Bengals and quarterback Jon Kitna.

        The Bengals signed Burris to a three-year, free-agent contract March 26.

        INJURY REPORT: An MRI on middle linebacker Brian Simmons' neck revealed a pinched nerve. Simmons is questionable for Sunday's home game, and whether he plays is his decision.

        An MRI on linebacker Armegis Spearman showed a hyperextended knee, and he is day-to-day.

Simple offense yields results LeBeau smiles at speculation Winless Bengals encouraged by latest loss Dirt on grass at stadium: It'll stay Browns' Couch doesn't back down Colts still trying to plug holes in porous run defense Power shifts to West; AFC looking best Packers 34, Bears 21

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