Chad Johnson will have arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remove bone spurs from both of his ankles. Last Thursday the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver garnered a lot of attention when he said that he could not practice due to ankle pain.
The Bengals said that Johnson was not really injured but just refusing to go through minicamp drills. But today it was confirmed that Johnson needed surgery, which will be performed by the team doctor.
The veteran player, who is about to enter his eighth NFL season, should be all set to participate in the Bengals training camp. It’s unsure if he’ll show up for the camp. Johnson has been asking for a trade throughout the offseason. But sources say that it looks like he will go to the camp.
Johnson attended the full minicamp, which ran from Thursday through Saturday. Last season in 16 regular season games, he averaged 15.0 yards per catch. He made eight touchdowns and racked up 1,440 yards.
Meanwhile, in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp there was discontent from afar as quarterback Chris Simms stayed home. Simms, who has had major issues with head coach Jon Gruden, requested his release last week.
Simms, who has been in the NFL for six years, has said that his relationship with Gruden cannot be repaired. Simms, who was injured all last season, was insulted when Gruden intimated that the QB might be malingering. The year before, he missed the final 13 games of 2006 after having his spleen removed. Simms had been hit hard numerous times in a game against the Carolina Panthers. That night, after the games, he had his spleen taken out.
Presently on the team depth chart, Simms is the fourth string quarterback behind starter Jeff Garcia, second stringer Luke McCown and third man Brian Griese. Simms, who is 27 years old, simply wants out.
