By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - The Bengals roster found some shape Monday - at least temporarily - when the team waived five players.

INSIDE CAMP

Today's schedule The team holds its last double-header session of camp: Practice, 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. Coming up The final practice of training camp will be 8:45-11:15 a.m. Wednesday. Injury report • Tailback Rudi Johnson sat out the afternoon practice because he had wisdom teeth pulled Sunday. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle) walked with a crutch. • Rookie linebacker Landon Johnson (shoulder) was limited but did participate in drills. Johnson and fullback Jeremi Johnson (groin) said they might be ready for the preseason finale against the Colts. Palmer watch Quarterback Carson Palmer, fresh off his three touchdown-pass performance against New England, went back to work Monday. He showed his command of the offense by changing a play at the line of scrimmage and then connecting on a short pass to a tight end. Palmer faced additional pressure from the defense, which threw line stunts and a safety blitz at him on consecutive plays. Monday's highlights Palmer completed a long pass to Chad Johnson, who beat cornerback Tory James. Coach Marvin Lewis then criticized James for his effort. Rookie running back Chris Perry made a nice reception over the middle on the last play of practice. Lewis, watching practice from deep in the secondary, ran up and tagged Perry down.

Punter Eddie Johnson and rookie free agent quarterback Scott Rislov were among the released players.

Rookie Kyle Larson becomes the only healthy punter in training camp, and seventh-round draft pick Casey Bramlet appears to have won the job of third quarterback.

"He's third right now," coach Marvin Lewis said of Bramlet. "He's done a nice job handling the offense and ad-libbing when he's had to. He threw the ball accurately in two games."

Bramlet is 6-for-12 passing for 41 yards. He followed Carson Palmer and Jon Kitna into both preseason games. The Bengals are taking the approach that they have time to develop Bramlet.

"I have to stay in it mentally at practice and get as many mental reps as I can," Bramlet said.

Larson has punted five times for a 40.4-yard average.

Incumbent punter Kyle Richardson tore a biceps muscle in the preseason opener Aug. 16 at Tampa Bay and underwent surgery.

Lewis said Richardson's surgery went as expected and the Bengals would make a decision "in a week or so" about whether he would be put on the Injured Reserve list or be kept on the roster and able to play at some point during the season.

"Possibly," Lewis said when asked if Richardson would play in 2004.

"Nothing has really changed for me," Larson said of the fact he is the lone punter in camp. "I have to focus on my technique and getting better day after day. I can only control what I can control."

Teams are required to cut to 65 players by Aug. 31 and 53 by Sept. 5. The Bengals could add a punter or quarterback when other teams make their roster cuts.

Next game

Who: Bengals (1-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1), Georgia Dome.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Ch. 12, 22, 45.

Radio: WCKY-AM (1360).

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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