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Bengals: Ocho Cinco Will Not Play Against Steelers

Bengals say Ocho Cinco will be deactivated for violation of team rule

The Cincinnati Bengals say Chad Ocho Cinco, the wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson, will be deactivated for Thursday night's game with the Pittsburgh Steelers for violating a team rule.

The Bengals did not specify the violation and said there would be no further comment until after the game.

Ocho Cinco had ankle surgery in June and a shoulder injury in August and has not been as involved in the Bengals' offense as much as previous years. Meanwhile, his former college teammate, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hoosh-mihn-ZAH'-dah), has become the team's primary receiver.

Houshmandzadeh leads the NFL with 73 catches, and has four touchdowns. Ocho Cinco, a down-field threat in previous years, has 41 catches, none for more than 22 yards.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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