Be re-signing Henry, Bengals clearly must be worried about Ocho Cinco

Posted By Matt Severance on Tuesday, August 19th 2008 under: NFL Tags: Chad Johnson, chris henry, Cincinnati Bengals

Interesting news out of Cincinnati, as the Bengals are bringing back receiver Chris Henry, which really must make one wonder about the health of star WR Chad Johnson.

Ocho Cinco’s shoulder popped out and then back into the joint during Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Lions. Everyone is toeing the company line, saying Johnson will be ready for the Sept. 7 season opener with Baltimore. But these types of injuries tend to linger. Some players just play through the pain, while others opt for surgery.

“I think he should be ready for the opener (Sept. 7 at Baltimore),” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “But it’s just going to be time on task. He has to gain the strength in the shoulder and how he feels.”

Losing Johnson for any amount of time is a blow for an offense already missing the services of Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and running back Rudi Johnson because of hamstring injuries. And rookie receiver Andre Caldwell has a sprained foot.

The Bengals released Henry on April 3 after his fifth arrest in three years, but his legal issues are behind him after an assault charge was dismissed in July. He was suspended for the first eight games of last season - the team was 2-6 while Henry was out and 5-3 in the second half of the season with Henry in the lineup.

Henry, who also was suspended the first four games of this season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, will be eligible to practice and play in the final two preseason games. The earliest he can return is Oct. 5 at Dallas.

It seems bringing in Henry again goes against the earlier wishes of Lewis, who said this on July 22: “I’m not interested in bringing him back. That wouldn’t be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player. There are responsibilities to being an NFL player; it’s a privilege, it’s not a right.”

The Bengals will now be financially liable for any of Henry’s potential negative off-field behavior. On Aug. 1, a new NFL policy went into effect that allows the league to fine teams for legal problems their players might incur.

Henry, 25, has been productive when he has played. In 35 games over three seasons, 11 starts, he has 88 receptions for a 15.6-yard average and 17 touchdowns.