Lewis on Thurman: `Disappointment'

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wasted no time this afternoon in responding to the DUI charge against second-year linebacker Odell Thurman this morning in the East End.

"I think for Odell, it's disappointing, for me, it's disappointing for our program, for all of our fans," Lewis said. "He just obviously doesn't understand the privilege and right to play in the National Football League. This will probably be dealt with very severely ... no question by the league."

Thurman will likely be suspended for one calendar year by the NFL, per policy, for his third violation of the league substance abuse policy. He already was serving a four-game suspension for his second violation.

Bengals wide receivers Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal were with Thurman, who was driving McNeal's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe.

"It's probably bad timing," Lewis said of the others' participation.

Of Thurman, Lewis said, "It's socially and morally not right to be supposedly, by the rest, if that is true, that you were intoxicated behind the wheel. It's not correct. It's not right for our society. I think that sends a bad message. These guys all have the ability to know how to do the right thing, call a cab, whatever it is."

Lewis had said in training camp that veteran Brian Simmons probably would play middle linebacker -- where Thurman started 15 games and led in the team in tackles as a rookie in 2005 -- for the entire 2006 season. Lewis said he had planned since March to play the 2006 season without Thurman.

In other news, Lewis said center Rich Braham (knee) and wide receiver Tab Perry (hip) were out for the New England game Sunday and that strong safety Dexter Jackson (ankle) and linebacker A.J. Nicholson (hamstring) were likely out. Lewis also said wide receiver Antonio Chatman (groin) is improving and would likely be upgraded from doubtful.

Braham will likely miss several week, though Jackson could be back for the Oct. 15 game at Tampa Bay, following the bye week.