By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Rookie quarterback Carson Palmer missed two more practices Thursday because of his sore right foot.

He will be examined before Saturday night's preseason game against the Detroit Lions to determine if he can play.

Coach Marvin Lewis would not say how he would alter his planned quarterback rotation if Palmer can't play.

Jon Kitna will start, and Lewis had planned to play Palmer in the first half with first-string players and top backups. Shane Matthews was to play the second half.

The fourth quarterback on the roster is Tommy Jones, a former Eaton High School star.

Palmer partially tore the plantar fascia, a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot, beneath his arch while sprinting during the Bengals' 28-13 loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands Sunday.

OUT: Linebacker Tito Rodriguez (knee) had surgery and will be out for Saturday night's game. Tight end Matt Schobel (hamstring) and defensive lineman Ron Smith (elbow) also will not play.

Besides Palmer, game-time decisions will be made about guard Matt O'Dwyer (foot), wide receiver Peter Warrick (ankle) and cornerback Jeff Burris (heel).

WEATHER REPORT: Thursday was one of the hottest, most humid days of training camp. Rookie wide receiver Kelley Washington suffered from dehydration after the morning practice, Lewis said, but returned to practice at night.

Lewis also said Washington will play Saturday after missing Sunday's preseason opener against the Jets.

Washington exercised his right under the league's labor contract to get a second opinion on his surgically repaired neck. His surgeon cleared Washington to play.

DEAL IN WORKS: A new contract between the Bengals and Georgetown College could be announced as early as Monday or Tuesday.

The two sides continue to hold talks regarding a possible deal for the Bengals to return to the college for training camp. The initial seven-year contract expires this year.

Both sides are believed to want a new deal in place before the Bengals break camp Thursday.

The Bengals' Aug. 1 scrimmage and Aug. 2 mock game drew an estimated 15,000 fans, roughly the same number that attended camp in all of 2002.

UNDER PRESSURE: Special teams coach Darrin Simmons continues to turn up the heat on his players.

Fullback Chris Edmonds received a chewing out from Simmons, and Marquand Manuel got one from Lewis during a kickoff coverage session.

Simmons finally had it with the whole group at the end of the morning practice and yelled, "I can't put guys on the field who don't know what they're doing."

COLORS: Offensive players continue to wear black practice jerseys. The defense is wearing the cooler white shirts.

NO JUKING: Wide receiver Chad Johnson caught a crossing pattern and gave up ground while trying to get more yards.

Tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes didn't like what he saw.

"North-south. Go north-south," said Hayes, encouraging Johnson to run up the field and not lose first-down yardage.

DEBUT: Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers, the second overall pick in this year's draft, is expected to make his first NFL appearance Saturday night against the Bengals. Rogers has a dislocated left ring finger but will wear a splint.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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