NFL Wire Notes | Henry allegedly has altercation
CINCINNATI - Receiver Chris Henry allegedly was involved in an altercation with a parking attendant on the eve of rejoining the Cincinnati Bengals from his eight-game suspension.
Henry practiced with the Bengals on Wednesday and will be eligible to play Sunday in Baltimore. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the first half of the season for repeatedly violating the NFL’s conduct policy.
The third-year receiver stayed out of trouble during the suspension and was allowed to practice with the team for the last two weeks. He sat out a 33-21 loss in Buffalo on Sunday that dropped his last-place team to 2-6.
On Tuesday night, police in Newport, Ky., a suburb on the other side of the Ohio River within view of Paul Brown Stadium, were called to an entertainment district after a dispute over a parking fee.
A parking attendant told police that Henry and another man parked their sport-utility vehicle without paying. According to an incident report, the attendant said Henry argued loudly with him and said, “Don’t you know who I am?”
The attendant told police that Henry threw a $5 bill on the ground, but it was returned to him and police were called.
No charges have been filed.
Tank Johnson prepares for
first game with Cowboys
IRVING, Texas - Wearing a blue practice jersey and clutching his white Dallas Cowboys game jersey, Tank Johnson headed off for a photo shoot during his lunch hour.
The club needed a fresh picture now that he’s truly part of the team.
His half-season suspension over, Johnson, the former Husky, is preparing for both his Dallas debut and his first game since the Super Bowl, when he started on the defensive line for the Chicago Bears. He’s been practicing for a few weeks, but things are different now that he knows he’ll be playing Sunday against the New York Giants.
“I’m ready to go,” Johnson told coach Wade Phillips.
“You’re going to be in the game, so you better be!” Phillips responded.
Notes
• Reggie Bush sat out practice with a wrap on his left knee, which he said he bruised late in the Saints’ 41-24 victory over Jacksonville.
Bush participated in “walk-through” portions of practice and said he fully expects to play on Sunday when New Orleans hosts the St. Louis Rams.
• New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress practiced on a limited basis, less than an hour after coach Tom Coughlin said a persistent ankle injury would prevent him from working out.
• Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard practiced in a limited capacity and could return against Tennessee.
• Jay Cutler passed his first test of the week by practicing, paving the way for the Denver quarterback to play Sunday at Kansas City. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Cutler took most of his normal repetitions at quarterback, looked good and should play this week. “Unless there’s a setback he should be ready to go,” Shanahan said.
• Jonathan Babineaux expressed relief after he was cleared of a felony animal cruelty charge that could have sent the Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle to prison.
“I’m just happy the whole situation is over with,” Babineaux said. “It’s been a long process. I’ve been waiting it out and it’s finally over.”
Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said he dismissed the charges after an investigation of the death of a pit bull in February.
• Miami linebacker Zach Thomas was not cleared for contact because of migraine headaches the seven-time Pro Bowl player has been battling. Thomas was rear-ended in a car accident after the Oct. 21 loss to the Patriots, and his status for Sunday’s home game against Buffalo is day to day, according to coach Cam Cameron.
• New England activated wide receiver Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson from the physically unable to perform list, and also released safety Ray Ventrone.
• Justin Smiley, San Francisco right guard, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after dislocating the joint during his club’s loss at Atlanta last weekend.
• Cincinnati linebacker Ahmad Brooks will have surgery for a torn groin muscle. The Bengals placed Brooks on injured reserve, ending his season.