11-25-01, 11:40 a.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
CLEVELAND _ Wide receiver Darnay Scott, who didn't practice all week with bruised ribs, got the go-ahead to play Sunday after a pre-game workout here with backup quarterback Scott Mitchell.
The Bengals liked what they saw when Scott stretched for balls and how he ran his routes. But they decided to make all six receivers active for the game with Chad Johnson returning after sitting out the last four games with a broken collarbone and Peter Warrick nursing a thigh bruise.
Scott responded to anti-inflammatory medicine, plus receivers coach Steve Mooshagian said, "The
bottom line is he wants to play. That's the most important thing. He's able to reach out and catch and he's running well, so we're going to have everybody up."
In order to make room for six receivers, the Bengals plan to go light at cornerback by inactivating rookie Bo Jennings and at linebacker with rookie Riall Johnson shelved.
Also inactive for the Bengals were injured left guard Matt O'Dwyer, guard Victor Leyva, defensive linemen Jevon Langford and Mario Monds, quarterback Akili Smith and running back Rudi Johnson.
Rookie receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh figures to be in a rotation with Warrick returning punts. He took over the job after Warrick got hurt last week against the Titans.
Scott and Johnson probably won't play full-time as the Bengals plan to substitute according to which personnel groups fit each of the receivers. Warrick practiced this week with the bruise.
"They're all going to play a lot," Mooshagian said.
