Braham retires; Bengals prepare for Steelers

Center Rich Braham, a Bengal for 13 years, is retiring.

Coach Marvin Lewis announced Braham's retirement this afternoon. Braham will talk to the media at 4 p.m.

Braham played in just two games before suffering a serious knee injury in Week 2 against Cleveland.

"He's had a great career and a great run," Lewis said of Braham. "He's one of those rare guys who played his entire career for one football team."

Braham was drafted in 1994 by the Cardinals but waived without playing in a game. The Bengals claimed him.

Braham will be honored in a pregame ceremony Sunday. He played in 146 games and started 142 of them.

On the injury front, the Bengals are healthy. Limited in practice today but probable for Sunday will be right tackle Willie Anderson (foot), defensive lineman Bryan Robinson (foot) and safety Madieu Williams (thigh bruise).

Braham is listed as doubtful, and even if the stars align and the Bengals make the playoffs, he would not play, Lewis said.

Lewis said his team is focused on the Steelers, not the playoffs. A victory against Pittsburgh would make the Bengals 9-7. "Finish the season is the correct way, to beat the still defending world champions," Lewis said.

The Bengals need to win and for the Jets to lose to Oakland to make the playoffs. Or the Bengals could make it with a victory and a Jacksonville loss to Kansas City and a Denver loss to San Francisco.

Also of note today, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America presented its MVP award to Anderson and its Good Guy award for media cooperation to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.