By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Two Bengals players underwent surgery Friday, and each has a different prognosis.

INSIDE CAMP Friday's photos

Coming up • 1 p.m., mock game (with NFL officials) • After an off day Sunday, the Bengals return to practice twice on Monday: 8:45-11 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Directions From downtown: Take I-75 South about 70 miles to Exit 126 (Georgetown, Ky.). Turn right off ramp onto U.S. 460 West. Stay on 460 for about 2 miles. Turn right at light onto Lemons Mill Road (1962 West). Turn right into driveway flanked with Georgetown College/Bengals signs Injury report • Tackle Levi Jones (car accident), wide receiver Patrick Johnson (unannounced) and cornerbacks Reggie Myles (groin) and Greg Brooks (intestinal virus) might be back Monday. • Guard Eric Steinbach (elbow) and wide receiver Maurice Mann (ankle) could be back midweek. • Offensive lineman Scott Kooistra (knee) could be back late next week or early the following week. • Linebacker Kevin Hardy (back spasms) is day-to-day. Palmer watch Quarterback Carson Palmer worked the first two series of the intrasquad scrimmage Friday. Friday's highlights A few members of an NFL officiating crew have worked the past couple practices. They called several defensive holding and illegal contact penalties in the 5-yard chuck zone, reflecting a point of emphasis for the season. On one play Friday, cornerback Terrell Roberts was called for illegal contact on a pass intended for T.J. Houshmandzadeh. "They're still adjusting," umpire Jim Quirk said. "They just don't believe it. They think we'll lighten up after the season gets started. Word is from above that we are not to lighten up." Preseason schedule Aug. 14 - at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. Aug. 21 - NEW ENGLAND, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 - at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3 - INDIANAPOLIS, 7:30 p.m.

Second-year linebacker Khalid Abdullah had surgery in the morning on the dislocated right ankle he suffered Thursday in practice.

Coach Marvin Lewis said there's a chance Abdullah might miss the season but that further evaluation was needed.

"We'll see; right now indications are he'll be out for season," Lewis said.

Starting tight end Reggie Kelly had afternoon surgery to reattach a ligament in his thumb. Lewis said Kelly could be back as soon as the second preseason game, Aug. 21 at home against the Patriots.

FIRST CUT: The Bengals made their first roster move of training camp, waiving rookie free agent wide receiver Marlus Mays of Northern Iowa.

POWER BROKER: Lewis stopped the morning practice - not because he was angry with play execution, but to introduce his team to Fujio Cho, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Corp. worldwide.

Lewis gathered the players in a circle, and Cho wished Lewis and the team good luck.

"We've had a few dignitaries. Mr. Cho, who is the head, head, head man of Toyota, was here with us today, which is tremendous," Lewis said. "It's a big deal. (It was) good to stop and recognize him."

Cho and Bengals president Mike Brown, with the help of interpreter Kaz Sato, discussed the differences between sumo wrestlers and football players.

Brown presented Cho with a Bengals cap and T-shirt.

Cho was head of Toyota Motor Manufacturing-Kentucky (the Georgetown plant) for seven years. He left 10 years ago to return to Japan and has headed the entire company for the last five years.

Wide receiver Chad Johnson was the only Bengals player to approach and speak to Cho.

"I told him I had an old pink Chevy and was looking to upgrade to a Lexus," Johnson said. "I don't know if he understood me. But I know he knows what Lexus is. I told him I needed a loaner for about four years."

FIRST PRACTICE: Rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, who ended his five-day contract holdout Thursday, said he felt good in the morning practice and was glad to be in camp.

"I still got quite a few reps ..." said Ratliff, who was held out of the scrimmage. "I'm in pretty good shape and my legs feel pretty good. I'm fresh out here. I'm just trying to make plays."

Ratliff and Johnson were matched up on several plays. Ratliff said he had position on one particular play, but that Johnson made the catch.

"I should have made the play," Ratliff said.

OUT: The second annual mock game will be at 1 p.m. today.

Several players are out: punter Eddie Johnson, cornerback Greg Brooks, fullback Jeremi Johnson, Abdullah, guards Eric Steinbach and Scott Kooistra, defensive tackle Norris McCleary, tackle Levi Jones, wide receiver Patrick Johnson and Kelly.

MORE MOCK: Head coaches for the mock game are Jim Anderson (running backs) and Louie Cioffi (assistant defensive backs). It is a non-contact event, but the teams should run up to 120 total plays.

It is an exercise to help coaches communicate with each other and players in simulated game conditions.

AND COUNTING: The holdout of running back Chris Perry, the Bengals' first-round draft pick, reached its seventh day Friday.

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...