O'Neal, T.J. miss first offseason practice

Two Bengals starters, cornerback Deltha O’Neal and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, were missing from the first voluntary practice of the offseason today.

Houshmandzadeh’s absence was expected. O’Neal’s was not.

"T.J’s absence was not a surprise, but Deltha told me he would be here today, so …" Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said after the Bengals practiced for almost two hours late this morning and early this afternoon.

O’Neal struggled last season and had just one interception, after grabbing 10 in 2005. The Bengals have spent their last two first-round draft picks on cornerbacks, Johnathan Joseph in 2006 and Leon Hall in 2007.

O’Neal is a projected starter opposite Joseph, who will replace free-agent departure Tory James.

"Obviously, in his case, (O’Neal) has an opportunity to re-start himself, and this is good work for him to put his best foot forward," Lewis said. "He is missing out on an opportunity to do that.

"We all have the same tape throughout the NFL. It’s not just people in Cincinnati opinion. You get the chance to right your ship, particularly for a defensive back, and today he missed out on some work that he shouldn’t miss on. He just put himself further behind."

Initially, Lewis was reluctant to discuss either missing starter.

"I had 78 other guys out there. I don’t want to worry about those guys," he said while walking off the practice field. "I'm not worried about their reasons. We’ll have someone else in their spots. I expect them here at some point."

Joby Branion, O'Neal's agent, did not immediately return a phone message.

Lewis also reluctantly addressed comments he made in a radio interview Monday night about middle linebacker Odell Thurman, currently serving a one-year NFL suspension for a third violation of the league substance abuse policy.

Thurman has been undergoing alcohol rehab in his native Georgia.

Lewis said on WLW-AM that he was optimistic that, if Thurman were re-instated by the NFL this summer, he would have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

"He’s closer to doing those things," Lewis said of Thurman’s rehab. "My impression, my indication is he is closer to doing those things.

"I don’t have to worry about that until he gets an opportunity from the NFL. Then we’ll evaluate. I think he’s made progress."

Carson Palmer was on the field, participating fully, compared to a year ago when he was rehabbing his knee.

Newcomer Ed Hartwell, a linebacker, wore No. 56, Brian Simmons' old number. Cornerback Blue Adams wore No. 34, formerly worn by safety Kevin Kaesviharn, now a Saints' teammate of Simmons'. Defensive tackle Kenderick Allen, signed Monday, practiced and wore 67.

Safeties John Busing and Madieu Williams did not practice. Williams spent much of the first hour with teammates Andre Frazier and Tony Kays on the sideline working with athletic trainers.

Starting left tackle Levi Jones was not participating. He had postseason knee surgery and watched from the sideline.