T.J., Chad not at first OTA

The practice now underway for the Bengals, the first of 12 organized team activity (OTA) days, is described as a passing camp. No offensive linemen are present on the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium.

Neither are the team's top two wide receivers, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson. Johnson is threatening to holdout, and Houshmandzadeh -- as he did in 2007 -- prefers to work out in the offseason at home in California.

The wide receivers on the field are Marcus Maxwell, Doug Gabriel, Glenn Holt and Antonio Chatman. Rookie draft pick wide receivers Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia aren't able to be here until next week because of league rule.

Tight ends Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht, Daniel Coats and Nate Lawrie are on the field, too, with long-snapper/tight end Brad St. Louis.

The four top running backs are on the field: Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry, Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey. Kenny Irons is working on the sideline with a trainer.

Perry is on the field for the first time since fracturing his ankle in a November 2006 game at Cleveland, and his return bodes well for the offense, if he can stay healthy, and probably means the Bengals won't offer a contract to former Seahawks great Shaun Alexander.

Also cleared is safety Ethan Kilmer, who underwent knee surgery in August and missed all of the 2007 season on the injured reserve list.

All four quarterbacks are on the field: Carson Palmer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Rowe and Jordan Palmer.