By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals moved forward on Thursday, a day after tailback Corey Dillon said he would welcome a trade, and pointed toward Sunday's game against Seattle.

Coach Marvin Lewis, who on Wednesday said Dillon was angry with the media, not the team, was asked about Dillon's comment that he was upset with more than how he is portrayed in the media.

"You guys ain't my only problem," Dillon said Wednesday.

"He has never affirmed that to me at all," Lewis said Thursday. "He told me the exact opposite. ... It does nothing to affect our football team."

Lewis also said the situation was closed and settled on Wednesday.

During the noon-hour open locker room session, some players declined to discuss Dillon's outbursts, in which he sent mixed messages about his desire to be traded, and said the Bengals did not appreciate him or give him enough rushing attempts.

"The timing could be questioned," right tackle Willie Anderson said. "Some of the things that were said were somewhat understandable."

The Bengals are coming off a big victory Sunday over Baltimore that put them in the thick of the AFC North race. They play Sunday at home against Seattle.

Anderson didn't view Dillon's comments as a distraction.

"That shouldn't make any other guys on the team stop doing their job," he said. " ... That's not going to stop me from blocking the defensive end."

Wide receiver Chad Johnson has emerged as the Bengals' star offensive player in the time Dillon has been slowed by injuries.

"I'm not sure what's going on with CD," Johnson said. "Right now should be the time he should be happy. Things are changing around here, which some of these veterans haven't had for a while."

Johnson, like many of his teammates, excused Dillon.

"That all comes with frustration," Johnson said. "When you're frustrated and things aren't going right, you forget your surroundings. That's all that is."

Dillon (groin) remained probable for Sunday, though he didn't practice Thursday for a second consecutive day.

INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Artrell Hawkins did not practice Thursday, and Lewis said Hawkins was "resting."

Backup guard Matt O'Dwyer (foot) is probable.

BLACKOUT: The Bengals-Seahawks game did not sell out by the 1 p.m. deadline Thursday and will not be show on live local TV.

COACH OF THE WEEK: Lewis is the Staples Coach of the Week for the 34-26 victory over Baltimore.

As a result, Our Lady of Victory School in Delhi Township will receive a $5,000 spending account for school supplies. Lewis also will visit the school.

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