By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Peter Warrick did not practice Monday, and he has yet to play in the preseason games.

But coach Marvin Lewis said after the afternoon practice that Warrick could play if necessary.

"He's right on schedule," Lewis said. "We're making sure everything is right and get his strength back where it was before he was injured. Peter could play now if we needed.

"But let's get him as strong as we can and do the wear and tear in the season."

Warrick, who had an ice bag on his right knee at the start of practice, suffered cartilage damage in his right knee in a December game and underwent surgery.

NEW GIG: Starting left guard Eric Steinbach, coming back from elbow surgery in July, had full contact Monday for the first time.

And he experienced a strong push from defensive end Justin Smith as the left tackle, filling in for Levi Jones.

"We were going to work on that at minicamp," Steinbach said. "They want me to get some reps.

"As long as I'm OK with guard, let's get some work in."

He was a guard in college, and he came to Iowa as a tight end.

"It was new for me this spring," said Steinbach, who had played only left tackle at the Senior Bowl in 2003.

Jones was getting a day off. Larry Moore, who started both preseason games at left guard, remained there Monday for practice.

Steinbach said the goal is for the offensive line starters to put together a streak of consecutive starts that allows them to work together.

"That's when a line can really take off," he said.

The Bengals put together a 13-game streak during 2003 in which the same five offensive linemen started together: Jones at left tackle, Steinbach at left guard, Rich Braham at center, Mike Goff at right guard and Willie Anderson at right tackle.

Victor Leyva worked at right guard with the first line during Monday's practice.

RUDI, RUDI, RUDI: Tailback Rudi Johnson sat out Monday's practice because he had wisdom teeth pulled Sunday.

But he played in both preseason games and has run for 100 yards on 23 carries with one touchdown.

Johnson appears to be set to assume the mantle of featured back from Corey Dillon.

Lewis said there's a reason for Johnson's success besides his natural ability.

"He runs every play in the game the way we practice it," Lewis said. "He hits every hole with the right timing and in the right place. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't run the play the way it's designed, you're usually going to fail."

FIVE GONE: The Bengals waived five players.

Waived were punter Eddie Johnson, center Mike Mabry, quarterback Scott Rislov, wide receiver Lance Young and linebacker LaDairis Jackson.

Jackson (knee) was waived while injured, and if he is not claimed by 4 p.m. today, he reverts to the Bengals Injured Reserve list.

The Bengals have 74 players on their roster. By league rules, they have to be down to 65 on Aug. 31 and 53 on Sept. 5.

The Bengals will practice from 4-5:30 p.m. today.

SPECIAL DELIVERY: The Bengals spent several minutes in practice working on their kickoff return team, which included fielding onside kickoffs.

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...