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Chad Johnson injured as Bengals fall to Lions

Aug 18, 2008 - 2:29 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The list of high-profile aches and pains keeps growing for the Cincinnati Bengals while Calvin Johnson appears to fully recovered from an injury that took some of the luster off of his rookie season.

Chad Johnson left with a shoulder injury early in the first quarter while Calvin Johnson had his second solid performance in as many games as the Detroit Lions downed the Bengals, 27-10, in preseason action Sunday.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Chad Johnson injured his left shoulder and left the field after failing to make a leaping catch on Carson Palmer's third-down pass during the Bengals' first drive, which resulted in an interception by Lions cornerback Brian Kelly to the Bengals 36.

He did not return.

On the next play, Calvin Johnson - limited by a back injury most of last season - snared a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jon Kitna.

The 6-5 second-year pro, who did not play again after the score, hauled in three catches for 76 yards, one week after a four-reception, 76-yard effort in limited action against the Giants.

Chad Johnson's injury was also symbolic of the team's early struggles. Cincinnati had a field goal attempt blocked on its second drive and saw Palmer go 6-of-13 for 50 yards in four series without regular starters T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Rudi Johnson, both of whom were resting sore hamstrings.

Rookie linebacker Keith Rivers, the Bengals' first-round pick who held out the first nine days of training camp, received his first NFL start and collected tackles on two of the team's first five plays.