The Cincinnati Bengals will open contract talks with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer next week in an effort to retain him. Zimmer’s contract is set to expire and a source with knowledge of the situation said the Bengals want to try to persuade the sought-after coach from taking a job elsewhere.

What does Chad Ochocinco have in store for the Jets this week?

Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco apparently has reversed course after saying he planned to wear the No. 15 jersey of deceased teammate Chris Henry. Ochocinco said he doesn’t want to be a distraction.

The next time the Bengals take the field, they’ll have leading rusher Cedric Benson back in the fold.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson is going to attempt to practice Friday after missing last weeks’ game with the Raiders, reports NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora. Benson might not be able to play Sunday against the Browns, but the Bengals should have a more firm idea by Friday afternoon.

Marvin Lewis sees the opportunity. So does Larry Johnson. And so begins the latest chapter in Johnson’s career, as a Cincinnati Bengal.

Fantasy owners shouldn’t look to add RB Larry Johnson off the waiver wire.

Bengals first-round pick Andre Smith has been practicing this week, but there’s been no indication of whether he’ll make his NFL debut this weekend against the Ravens.

Vikki Zimmer, the wife of Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, passed away Thursday in Cincinnati, according to a statement released by the team this morning.

There is the chance that Bengals first-round draft pick OT Andre Smith could be game-ready by Cincinnati’s Oct. 23 game against Chicago. It appears to be more likely, though, that Smith won’t play until the Nov. 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens, following the Bengals’ bye week.

Coming off a big win against the defending Super Bowl champions, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis knows this is no time for his players to get overconfident. So, starting Wednesday, Lewis had his equipment manager work overtime to order enough nameless jerseys for every player to practice in this week, writes the Cincinnati Enquirer. The message, Lewis said, is buying into selflessness.

There are, sometimes, very entertaining aspects to preseason football. On Thursday night, we have Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco to thank for that.

We all know that anything can happen in the NFL, and last season, the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons were among the league’s surprise teams. With that in mind, here are the most dangerous 2008 non-playoff teams that will make noise in 2009, and some might even find their way into the postseason.

If seeing is believing, it might be difficult for anyone to doubt that Chad Ochocinco is one motivated individual despite an offseason in which he’s been absent from the Cincinnati Bengals and is training in the boxing ring.

While the Bengals worked through Organized Team Activities in Georgetown, Ky., on Tuesday, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco worked through footwork drills inside the boxing ring with his specialized personal trainer, former WBC featherweight champion Kevin Kelley.