Washington, Neal forced to sit this one out

CINCINNATI - So much for Kelley Washington's triumphant return to Cincinnati. The Patriots wide receiver, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bengals, is out for tonight's game with a hamstring injury.

He is joined by right guard Stephen Neal, who will miss his third straight game with a shoulder injury. Russ Hochstein started last week in place of Neal.

During the week, Washington seemed excited about returning to Cincinnati.

"It's always exciting to go back to somewhere you started your career and spent a lot of time. Adrenaline is always up," said Washington.

"You're really focused on the game. It's always like that, not just with me but all players playing against a former team. There is a lot of emotion there."

The Patriots have seven players who are questionable for tonight's game: linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (ankle), cornerback Randall Gay (thigh), running back Laurence Maroney (groin), nose tackle Vince Wilfork (knee), defensive lineman Mike Wright (left knee), offensive lineman Billy Yates (shoulder), and wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (knee).

The Patriots removed running back Kevin Faulk from the injury report. Faulk did not participate in practice on Friday because of a team decision.

His hands full

Cornerback Ellis Hobbs never backs down from a challenge and he figures to get one tonight with Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson. It will be the first time the ebullient Hobbs has faced the entertaining Johnson during the regular season, and it only seems fitting the meeting will take place in prime time.

Hobbs had surgery to repair a broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist the week of the Patriots-Bengals matchup last season and sat out New England's 38-13 victory. Hobbs said he wasn't planning on engaging in any playful banter with Johnson.

"I didn't really go against him last year. I was injured and the year before it was preseason and I ain't got the right to talk to anybody as a rookie," said Hobbs. "So you know this will be kind of my first opportunity [to cover him]. I'm just trying to stay focused. I don't really want to get into the talking."

Hobbs, who has been known to preen on occasion after making a play, said he sees some similarities between himself and Johnson, who has turned touchdown celebrations into a cottage industry.

"I just enjoy his attitude, man. He doesn't care, like me," said Hobbs. "I could care less what you guys say. I'm going to continue to do me. I'm going to continue to be me, within reason and being a professional."

Watson in line

It looks like Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson's streak of 64 consecutive games has run its course. Johnson, who was forced to leave the Bengals' loss last Sunday to the Seahawks with a hamstring injury, was still listed as out yesterday. That would leave backup Kenny Watson, who came on for Johnson and had nine carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, as Cincinnati's feature back.

Washington said that even without Johnson, Cincinnati will not abandon the run.

"Even if Rudi is out, they're still going to try to run the football and use that offensive line," said Washington. "It's just that division; you run the ball and that sets up everything else. Just because Rudi is out it doesn't matter at all. They're still going to run the football."

The Bengals added cornerback Deltha O'Neal (tooth) to their injury list.

Chemistry lesson

Call it the Adalius Thomas factor.

With the Patriots employing Thomas at the strongside inside linebacker spot, it has allowed Mike Vrabel to play more exclusively at his more natural outside linebacker position.

Thomas, who played primarily outside linebacker the first eight years of his career with the Ravens, is second on the team with 20 tackles (according to coaches' tabulations), while Vrabel's 3 1/2 sacks rank fourth in the NFL. As Thomas becomes more comfortable inside, it appears the Patriots have strengthened two spots by playing him at that position.

"I think he's gotten better every week," defensive coordinator Dean Pees said of Thomas. "The chemistry between all of the players is getting better the more he's in there. I think he's starting to feel a little more comfortable in the position - again, the more you play it, the more you're going to feel comfortable.

"He's a good player and a very flexible player, so obviously that adds something to our defense. Did it change everything? I can't really say that. It's allowed us to use the talent, I think, the best way that we possibly can and I think that he's gotten better every week."

Rader released

The Patriots released tight end Jason Rader from the practice squad . . . The Patriots spent time preparing for two variations of a no-huddle offense this week, as Vrabel noted the Bengals run a quick-tempo no-huddle, as well as a no-huddle that is a bit slower . . . Paul Brown Stadium, the home of the Bengals, is nicknamed "The Jungle" and Washington said to expect a hyped-up crowd. "It's going to be wild. They're diehard fans," he said.