Brian Simmons inactive; Rudi Johnson won't start

Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson will not start today because he was late for a team meeting, the Bengals just announced. Chris Perry will start and more than likely play the first series. Johnson was disciplined in the same manner for being late to a meeting last season at Cleveland.

Besides Simmons, the other inactive Bengals are safety Kevin Kaesviharn, wide receiver Reggie McNeal, linebacker A.J. Nicholson, center Rich Braham, left tackle Levi Jones and wide receiver Kelley Washington. Doug Johnson is the third quarterback.

Besides Johnson and Perry, the other starting linebacker changes are at left tackle, where Andrew Whitworth will start for Jones; middle linebacker, where Ahmad Brooks will start for Simmons; and center, where Eric Ghiaciuc will start for Braham.