Bengals WR Houshmandzadeh's status uncertain
Written by: Kevin Goheen ¦ 9/12/2006
Source: news.cincypost.com
The rules haven't changed for Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. If he can practice this week, he'll have chance to play in next Sunday's home opener against Cleveland.
Houshmandzadeh missed Sunday's 23-10 season opening win at Kansas City because of sore right heel he suffered in the third preseason game against Green Bay.
"Only time will tell. I've got a few days, so we'll see what happens," said Houshmandzadeh, who had a career-high 79 receptions last season.
Chris Henry started in place of Houshmandzadeh, while Kelley Washington and Tab Perry were the No. 3 and 4 receivers. Henry had just one catch for minus-5 yards (he had one catch negated by a penalty), while Washington caught one pass for 10 yards and Perry had two catches for 44 yards.
Chad Johnson had five catches for 48 yards to lead the Cincinnati receivers. Quarterback Carson Palmer attempted just 19 passes, completing 13 for 127 yards.
Houshmandzadeh attempted to warm up for the game but he had no trouble telling coaches he couldn't play.
"It's cut and dry; my feet are pretty much everything for me," said Houshmandzadeh. "If they don't go right, that's like your hands as you're writing there - if they're not working, I don't work. It's up to me and how much pain I can take? It's my pain management. It's a matter of how I feel. I don't know if it will be nagging or not."
Houshmandzadeh has missed out on topping 1,000 yards receiving each of the past two seasons because of injuries that forced him to miss a couple of games or limit his playing time in them.
http://news.cincypost.com