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Chris Perry's season has ended before it ever really began. The Bengals tailback, who practiced for three weeks on a roster exemption as a member of the physically unable to perform list, was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. He'll continue to rehab from the right ankle fracture and dislocation he suffered at Cleveland on Nov. 26, 2006. "As soon as they broke the news, I started thinking about next year," Perry said. "I'm excited to play again." Perry has played in 22 of a possible 59 games in 4 years. Sod story: Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is confident the deplorable playing conditions at Heinz Field will improve for Sunday night's game. Persistent rain, plus a grass field that endured seven football games in an 11-day span, plus new sod equaled disaster on Monday night when the Steelers beat the Dolphins, 3-0, in a quagmire. "Our grounds crew is working around the clock to provide us with a playable surface," Tomlin said. "I'm going to let those guys do that. I'm going to focus on getting our guys ready to play."
Johnson honored: Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week by the NFL for his performance — 12 catches, 103 yards and three TDs — in a 35-6 victory over Tennessee. It's the first Player of the Week award for the four-time Pro Bowler, who set the Bengals' record for career receptions (537) on Sunday. Carl Pickens (1992-99) owned the previous mark with 530. Mourning Willis: The Bengals are mourning the death of Bill Willis. He played for Ohio State and the Cleveland Browns under Paul Brown, who founded the Bengals in 1967. Brown was Willis' presenter when Willis went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Injury report: Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson (knee) had limited participation in practice Wednesday, while wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) and cornerback Deltha O'Neal (knee) didn't practice. Six Steelers didn't practice — wide receivers Santonio Holmes (ankle) and Hines Ward (coach's decision), fullback Dan Kreider (knee), cornerback Bryant McFadden (ankle), strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) and offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back). Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/11/28/ddn112907bengals.html |
