By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Marvin Lewis

Coach Marvin Lewis called a local radio station Wednesday afternoon to apologize for comments about Bengals fans he had made four hours earlier during his weekly news conference.

In discussing the team's loss at Arizona and possible fickle fan reaction to being 3-5 instead of 4-4, Lewis told the assembled media: "We lost one football game last week, and everybody (fans) jumped off. ... It's natural. It's human. It's expected. They jumped off 14 places around the league last weekend."

Lewis has been appealing for fans to sell out Paul Brown Stadium for home games. Sunday's game against Houston is far from a sellout.

Asked if he understood that Bengals fans carried the baggage of 12 consecutive non-winning seasons before he was hired in January, Lewis said: "I understand that. But again, when you don't have anything invested in it, how can it be baggage for you? (Team employees are) the ones that carry this around."

Then asked if he thought season-ticket holders and other ticket-buyers invested in the club, Lewis said, "Yeah, they do. You are right."

But the damage had been done with some listeners of Lance McAlister's afternoon sports talk show on WCKY-AM (1360), which broadcasts Lewis' news conference live. Fans called to complain about Lewis' "invested" comment. Paul Brown Stadium is a $450 million taxpayer-funded stadium (land acquisition included).

Lewis, informed of Bengals fans' angry response to his comments, talked again to reporters after practice and addressed the issue.

"We're working to win football games," he said. "If we fill the stadium, we've got a great opportunity to have a decisive advantage, which helps. . . . I can't control people's emotions back and forth.

". . . We want to have the stadium filled, and fans are fans no matter what, so they ought to stick in. Hang in there. Nothing's changed. We lost a football game, and people are affected."

Then Lewis called McAlister's show at 4:35 p.m. and apologized repeatedly for inadvertently insulting fans.

INJURY REPORT: Tailback Corey Dillon (groin) was listed as questionable for Houston after playing at Arizona. Dillon did not practice Wednesday.

Cornerback Jeff Burris, who suffered his fifth career concussion Sunday, was listed as probable. He did not practice, and Lewis declined to discuss the 10th-year pro's condition in any detail.

Guard Matt O'Dwyer (foot) is probable. Cornerback Artrell Hawkins (knee) and safety Marquand Manuel (hamstring) are questionable.

Tight end Reggie Kelly (foot) is out. Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) practiced for just the third time since Sept. 3; he was doubtful.

NEW CARR: Texans quarterback David Carr (high ankle sprain) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium but did practice Wednesday on a limited basis.

"It's getting better," Carr said of his ankle.

Said Houston coach Dom Capers, "We're hopeful he'll be ready to go on Sunday."

Tony Banks, an NFL veteran and Carr's backup, started in the Texans' upset of Carolina and passed for 154 yards.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com