Injured players improving

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was not confrontational or angry during his Monday news conference within the past hour. He did avoid answering some questions directly but did say that he puts more pressure on himself internally than any fan or boss could, in the wake of his team's 1-4 start.

Lewis said that the team suffered two notable injuries Sunday at Kansas City. Wide receiver Antonio Chatman (hamstring) and linebacker Corey Mays (hamstring) were injured but still have a chance to returning to the field for the Jets game Sunday afternoon.

Out will be right tackle Willie Anderson (heel, knee), safety Ethan Kilmer (knee) and wide receiver Tab Perry (hip).

"We'll see where Ahmad (Brooks, groin) is," Lewis said.

Lewis did say linebackers Caleb Miller (back) and Rashad Jeanty (calf) have an opportunity to practice this week.

Lewis also said tailback Rudi Johnson (hamstring) "came though the game" but experienced tightness in the hamstring during the third quarter. Johnson said Sunday he did not aggravate the leg.

Tight end Reggie Kelly suffered a sprained left ankle but returned to the game and said afterward that he was fine.

Other points of interest:

-- "Carson (Palmer) puts a lot of pressure on himself all the time," Lewis said of the quarterback, who threw two more interceptions and lost a fumble Sunday against the Chiefs.

-- Asked how only five of 83 teams since 1990 -- when the playoff format was expanded to six teams in each conference -- have started 1-4 and made the playoffs, Lewis said, "We get a chance to do something special."

-- Running back Chris Perry, who is eligible to return from the physically unbable to perform (PUP) list this week, said he has not been told yet by coaches whether he will be back in time for the Jets game. Lewis declined to speculate about Perry's immediate future or the team's plans for the running back this week.