By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Keyshawn Johnson, the wide receiver fired earlier this season by Tampa Bay but still on the team's active roster, visited Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday to film a report on the Bengals for Fox Television's NFL coverage Sunday.

Johnson interviewed coach Marvin Lewis, tackle Willie Anderson, quarterback Jon Kitna and wide receiver Chad Johnson - his cousin. Keyshawn also took the opportunity to pump his cousin for the Pro Bowl.

"It says something about his abilities," Keyshawn said of Chad, who leads the AFC with 1,120 receiving yards. "He's on his way. I am jockeying for him to make it to the Pro Bowl."

Comparing his strengths with Chad's, Keyshawn said, "He'll never be the blocker I am. But I'll never be the home-run hitter he is. But he'll never move the chains the way I do."

Keyshawn dismissed reports that he's headed to New England, Baltimore or Dallas. What about Cincinnati?

"That's not even a thought," he said. "You never know. All the options are open."

Johnson almost played for Lewis in Tampa Bay. After the 2001 season, Buccaneers general manager Rich McKay wanted to hire Lewis but was over-ruled by owners.

"I like the guy as a head coach," Johnson said of Lewis. "He's a tremendous head coach. If Marvin Lewis (were) in Tampa Bay, Keyshawn Johnson wouldn't be here talking to you now."

INJURY UPDATE: Bengals left tackle Levi Jones (knee) remained listed as doubtful on the injury report Thursday, three days after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage.

The only change to the Bengals' report was the addition of wide receiver Kelley Washington (ankle) as probable.

The 49ers added two players to their report: cornerback Ahmed Plummer (ankle, back) and linebacker Saleem Rasheed (hamstring) as probable. Plummer is a Wyoming High School graduate.

GUARANTEE CENTRAL: A month after Chad Johnson guaranteed a victory against Kansas City and was criticized by coaches and teammates - including right tackle Willie Anderson - Johnson was interested to hear of Anderson's guarantee that the Bengals would make the playoffs.

"I like it. A lot of (courage)," Johnson told a horde of reporters surrounding his locker. "When I had (courage), somebody got on me real bad. I'm not even going to comment on that. I've got his back, though."

70 x 2: Johnson's 73 receptions and Peter Warrick's 70 make them the first duo in Bengals history with 70 receptions each in the same season.

MILESTONE: The 4-yard touchdown pass to Warrick on Sunday at Baltimore not only tied a single-season high of 23 for Kitna, it also was the 100th of his career; 51 have come with the Bengals.

ETC.: The first 30,000 fans through the gates Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium will receive a free full-color poster that recognizes the Bengals' 1988 AFC Championship team. ... The Bengals and the U.S. Marine Corps will hold their annual Toys for Tots Holiday Collection of new, unwrapped toys and cash donations beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday at stadium gates.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...