By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Wide receiver Chad Johnson would like to see cousin Keyshawn Johnson in a Bengals uniform.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday told Keyshawn that he will be de-activated the rest of the season and should not show up to team practices. He is believed to have played his last down for the defending Super Bowl champions because of an on-going conflict with coach Jon Gruden.

"That would be fun. The more weapons, the better," Chad Johnson said of the possibility of playing alongside his cousin. "I don't think they'd have enough balls to go around."

Said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis: "Obviously winning football games is the most important thing about this. We keep saying that. As the coach, you have to judge and guard and 'guestimate' what's taking away from you winning football games. No one person is bigger than the football team, and that's important."

Asked if he were interested in acquiring Keyshawn Johnson after the season, Lewis said, "Again, let's not speculate on our future."

INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Jeff Burris (concussions) practiced Wednesday but is out for the Chargers game. Tight end Reggie Kelly (foot) did not practice and is listed as doubtful.

Tight end Matt Schobel (hamstring), guard Matt O'Dwyer (foot) and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) are listed as probable.

CARDIAC KIDS: Lewis has distributed black T-shirts bearing the words "One Heartbeat" to all Bengals players and support employees. "One Heartbeat" is Lewis' theme for the 2003 team.

EX-CHARGER: Bengals strong safety Rogers Beckett played his first three seasons in San Diego and still owns property in the area, but the home was not damaged by the recent wildfires, he said.

The Bengals acquired Beckett off waivers in June, assuming the last year of his contract.

"I've had the opportunity to do a lot of things I haven't been able to do in the past," said Beckett, who has three sacks, one interception and 55 tackles. "It's a place I would definitely consider staying."

LORENZO'S OIL: Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal, who signed a three-year, $4.5 million free agent contract to leave Cincinnati in March, termed Bengals offers to him as a "slap in the face."

"I was a 10-year vet, the best in the league at my position, and they offered me just $100,000 over the minimum. That was a slap in the face," said Neal, who apparently received an offer during training camp 2002 and another one after Lewis was hired.

The current league minimum salary for a player with Neal's experience is $755,000. He has 40 rushing yards with one touchdown and 13 receptions for 50 yards.

ETC.: The early line has the Bengals favored by three points over the Chargers. . . . San Diego starting strong safety Kwamie Lassiter is listed as out with a knee injury.

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