The Cincinnati Bengals have deactivated wide receiver Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson for Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Bengals organization have only released that Johnson has been benched for this AFC North division rivalry due to violating team rules.

The Bengals have not made any other statements other than more information will be made available after tonights game.  This move could really hurt the Bengals’ chances to upset and get another win on the season to help their disappointing 1-8-1 record.  Cincinnati tied week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFL’s first tie since 2003 when the Steelers tied the Falcons 34-34.

Now that the Cardinals have moved on to new running back Tim Hightower, veteran Edgerrin James wants to move on as well.  Two weeks ago, Arizona decided to move rookie Hightower up the depth chart to take more of the snaps, leaving James on the bench.  Now James wants out of Arizona.

Quitely, James asked to be released after the switch was made which was ignored.  Now James is going public and wants out.  James’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus is trying to help him get a chance to play this season rather than spend the rest of it warming the bench. 

“He’s not looking to create controversy, he’s not trying to disrupt chemistry, he’s happy to see their success,” said Rosenhaus. “But he wants to play. He doesn’t understand why he was demoted and taken out of the offense.

“He would rather go someplace else and help someone else than stand around on the bench. We’re very eager to get back on the field and play because Edgerrin was on his way to a third straight 1,000-yard season. He’s not unhealthy. He hasn’t lost any of his skills. He just doesn’t want to wait until next year to show everyone he can play. He wants to do it now.”

If Arizona refuses to release him, James will get out but he will have to wait until after the season is over.  Next year James is slated to make $5 million that the Cardinals are unlikely to want to pay.  So James would like to find a team to take him now and let him play the rest of the season.  Theres no reason he couldn’t find one, hes on par for a third consecutive 1,000 yard season and has alot of gas left in the tank.  He will be a hot commodity, the question is will he be available now, or during the offseason.

Tampa Bay lost one its best rushers Wednesday when the Buccaneers put Earnest Graham on injured reserve.  Graham injured his right ankle last Sunday against Minnesota, having to limp off of the field after only having one carry against the Vikings.  With Graham out, Warrick Dunn will see the majority of the carries.

“I expect to play a lot more. But at the same time, we have other guys who can come in and make plays,” Dunn said. “I’m just going to do my part to help us move the chains, score touchdowns and win games.”  Dunn will share the backfield will newly activated Cadillac Williams and Noah Herron, who the Buccaneers signed following the move of Graham to IR.

This is definitely a setback to the Buccaneers’ running game but Dunn is a very capable back and Williams is the former Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2005 for a reason.

The Dallas Cowboys some more good news Wednesday with the reinstatement of Adam “Pacman” Jones.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Jones just weeks after suspending him indefinitely on October 14th following an incident involving his security guard in a hotel bathroom.  Jones had only been back in the NFL for the 2008 season following a suspension for the entire 2007 season.

Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys, made the announcement Wednesday that the troubled cornerback was being reinstated into the NFL but will miss the next two weeks.  He will play next December 7th at Heinz field against the Steelers.  This decision by the NFL makes it a six-game suspension and his return will definitely help the struggling Cowboys. 

Jones received his second suspension after getting into a fight with his bodyguard in a Dallas hotel bathroom.  Police were called to the scene and alcohol was apparently involved in the situation but no police report was filed.  With both Tony Romo and Jones back in the lineup, the Cowboys hope to keep winning and return to their beginning of the season form.

Tony Romo’s return may be just what the Cowboys need to get back on track.  Romo has been out of the lineup with a pinkie injury for the last  four weeks, and during his absense the Cowboys are 1-2.  Their downward spiral has put them in third place in the NFC East and could continue unless things get turned around.

The turnaround may not be complete with just the return of Romo, as they were 1-2 the last three games he played before the injury as well.  The defense is definitely struggling and will hurth them even if the offense gets a jumpstart with their star quarterback leading them.  Having Romo will definitely help, but he is not yet 100%.

“It’s getting better,” Romo said Wednesday. “Every day it gets a little better and I’m confident that I’ll feel pretty good for the game.”

His throwing is pretty much right on but still has pain in the little finger.  Especially during snaps, Romo feels a “little bit of pain” but also says it feels similar to a bruise and you just play through it.  The Cowboys play Sunday night against the Redskins and will be a glimpse into how their future will pan out for the rest of the season.  Romo will be held responsible for turning around the stalling team whether its fair or not.

Cadillac is back.  Carnell “Cadillac” Williams is finally back and practicing after being activated by the Buccaneers.  Williams has be on the physically unable to perform list since week 4 of the 2007 season after suffering a knee injury.  The injury was feared to be career-ending but after 13 months, Williams is back.

Head coach Jon Gruden is estatic to have his very talented running back in the line up again.  “We’re trying to simulate as much real football activity as we can, and he’s responding tremendously,” Gruden said Wednesday after Williams participated in his first practice since being activated from the PUP list.

Williams was the 2005 Offensive Rookie of the Year and has a chance to show everyone why as both Buccaneer rushers are not completely healthy.  Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn are both not at 100% and gives Williams his shot in the game.  They should start to filter him in, not as an every down back but he should see some time.

“I am totally leaving it to the coaches. I am just out here trying hard and contributing in any way possible to this team,” Williams said. “How much I play is up to them.”

The Buccaneers play the Vikings Sunday at 1pm EST.

The Lions are putting their faith in newly aquired quarterback Dante Culpepper Sunday against the Panthers.  Head coach Rod Marinelli announced the Culpepper would be starting his second game with the Lions after being signed just five days prior to last Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars.

“I think this week he has come in and is getting more comfortable, the timing is getting a little bit better,” Marinelli said on Wednesday. “I see him just getting better and better as the season goes on.”

The Lions continue on their winless streak, now at nine, and are beginning to look as if they are on track to finish the season 0-16.  Culpepper was signed to take over the signal caller position now that Jon Kitna is out for season and second string Dan Orvlosky out with a thumb injury.  Culpepper has some star power left in him, it’s just the question can he return to his Vikings form and how quickly.