By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Center Rich Braham and running back Chris Perry did not practice Friday but are expected to play Monday night against Denver.

Wide receiver Peter Warrick (shin) was downgraded to out and will not play for the third consecutive game. Safety Kim Herring was added to the report as questionable with an elbow injury, as was cornerback Reggie Myles, who is probable with a toe injury.

Perry is probable with an abdominal strain. Braham is not on the injury list and said he made it through the Cleveland game last week in good condition. He had arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 1.

Defensive lineman Carl Powell (knee) returned to practice.

Center Jerry Fontenot missed practice to tend to a family matter back home in Louisiana.

DRESS REHEARSAL: In preparation for the game, the Bengals will practice tonight under the lights at Paul Brown Stadium.

DRIVER 8: Former Bronco Deltha O'Neal, for no explained reason, wore No. 8 instead of his assigned 24 in practice, and O'Neal worked extensively as a punt returner.

O'Neal led Denver in punt return yards in 2003 for the fourth consecutive season, averaging 9.5 yards on 33 returns. He also had a 57-yard return for a touchdown in a Monday night game against New England.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the Bengals with eight punt returns for a 7.1-yard average.

FOUR YEARS AGO: Friday was the fourth anniversary of one of the most memorable Bengals-Broncos games.

On Oct. 22, 2000, the 0-6 Bengals upset the 4-3 Broncos, 31-21. It was the Bengals' first victory in Paul Brown Stadium and the first victory for rookie head coach Dick LeBeau, who had lost his first three games. Former Bengals running back Corey Dillon also set the NFL single-game rushing record with 278 yards, which stood until 2003 when Baltimore's Jamal Lewis ran for 295 yards against Cleveland.

TRYOUTS: Before signing free agent tight end Ronnie Ghent to their practice squad, the Bengals also held tryouts for defensive end Kevin Emanuel, wide receiver Sam Breeden and defensive back Brandon Williams.

Also this week, former Bengals defensive tackle Oliver Gibson and quarterback Joe Germaine had tryouts in Pittsburgh, and former Bengals running back Brandon Bennett had a tryout with Denver.

GATES OPEN EARLY: Paul Brown Stadium gates will open at 7 p.m. Monday, 30 minutes earlier than normal. Parking lots A, B, C, D and E and Lot 1 near the stadium will open at 4 p.m. for season-pass holders, the club announced. Fans without season passes to the lots are asked to park north of Fifth Street or in Kentucky.

HALL OF FAME: Former Bengals players Ken Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Lemar Parrish and Ken Riley were listed among the 89 preliminary nominees for the 2005 Class at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Left tackle Anthony Munoz is the only Bengals player in the hall.

MONDAY NIGHT: The first 50,000 fans at the Monday night game will receive a free Bengals/Chevy Rally Towel.

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...