Time doesn't heal all wounds

The Bengals returned from their three-day bye weekend break and hit the field inside Paul Brown Stadium at 4:15 this afternoon for practice.

Several key players are still on the sideline with injury, including starting tailback Rudi Johnson (hamstring) and middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks (groin). Fellow linebacker Rashad Jeanty, whom the Bengals were hopeful to have returning after the bye, was on the field in cleats and with his ankles taped. He did not have his jersey or helmet. Linebacker Caleb Miller (back) was on the sidelines, too.

Starting linebacker Landon Johnson (eye) and center Eric Ghiaciuc (thumb) appeared to be practicing fully. (The Bengals are not obligated to create an injury report today and have chosen not to.)

Right tackle Willie Anderson (heel, knee) was not on the field. His assigned parking spot was empty outside the stadium in the players' lot.

Also not practicing: center Alex Stepanovich, safety Ethan Kilmer (knee) and defensive end Jonathan Fanene (knee).

On the field, though, were wide receivers Chad Johnson (ankle) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee).

Head coach Marvin Lewis had his cast removed and was walking without crutches. He had undergone surgery to repair torn ankle tendons in August.