By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Coach Marvin Lewis expects his team to be back at full strength Sunday at Pittsburgh, with the exception of cornerback Jeff Burris.

Burris is still recovering from his second concussion.

"The doctors thought it was going to be a few weeks before they felt like things should be the way they are," Lewis said of Burris' condition. "After their exams, it becomes more of a medical thing . . . He's chomping at the bit for them to sign off on him, but we'll see how that goes."

Tight end Reggie Kelly, who suffered a foot injury against Seattle and missed four games, could be listed as questionable, Lewis said.

AFC LEADER: Wide receiver Chad Johnson took another step toward the Pro Bowl with his performance against San Diego.

The third-year wide receiver is tied for the AFC lead with 65 receptions, which is tied for fourth in the NFL. Johnson's 988 receiving yards lead the AFC and are fourth in the NFL. His eight touchdown receptions also are tied for fourth in the league.

RUDI AND 1,000: Tailback Rudi Johnson Sunday rushed for 65 yards, roughly the number he needs to average in the next five games to reach 1,000 for the season.

Johnson rushed 16 times, two fewer than Corey Dillon. Johnson now has 672 yards.

"I will just keep doing what the coaches ask me to," Johnson said. "As long as we keep winning, I don't care. We're just going out there telling each other we've got to get it done."

GIVEAWAYS: The Bengals have committed 13 turnovers - nine interceptions and four lost fumbles - the fourth-lowest number in the league. Only the Chiefs, Titans and Jets have committed fewer.

"I think you want to average one per game at the end of the season, and that would probably give you the fewest giveaways in the league," Lewis said.

CORNERING THE MARKET: Tory James has added more impressive numbers to his season totals.

At San Diego, the cornerback had two more passes broken up, increasing his season total to 14. He had his first sack and nine more tackles, lifting his total to 56 - fifth most on the team.

PUNTING DERBY: Newcomer Kyle Richardson now has punted 28 times, the same as former punter Nick Harris.

Richardson leads in average (41.4-38.7) and net average (33.8-30.0), has one fewer touchbacks and the same number of punts inside the 20-yard line, five.

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