Washington ascends depth chart

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Injuries, arrests and suspensions have paved the way.

CINCINNATI (AP) — At the Cincinnati Bengals' annual football night for novices last week, receiver Kelley Washington taught more than 400 women how to do his "Squirrel" touchdown dance.

Only a few months ago, he was trying to take his dance somewhere else.

Instead of moving on, the fourth-year receiver has moved up the Bengals' rank of receivers this season and become important again because of the team's injuries, arrests and suspensions.

"There's so many things that can happen in a season," he said, after returning from the Bengals' open weekend. "It's a long season. I just go about my business and whatever happens, happens."

Good things are starting to happen for him again.

The Bengals expected Washington to develop into one of their top three receivers when they drafted him in the third round out of Tennessee in 2003. Instead, he got passed over by rookie Chris Henry for the No. 3 role last season, and was essentially written out of their plans.

Washington played in only seven games and had 10 catches. He spent most game days on the inactive list, working out in the weight room by himself to work off his frustrations.

He signed a one-year deal for $721,600 this year, and asked the Bengals to look into trading him on draft day. They couldn't find a fit.

"You just look at the situation with the team," he said. "It was in their best interest to try to get something, and in our best interest to try to get a better opportunity for me."

Little hope

He showed up for training camp figuring he would stick around only if the players ahead of him stumbled — not exactly an encouraging situation.

"I was more of an insurance policy," he said. "Call it what it is. I make a lot of money to play this sport, and there's no reason for me to feel bitter or anything. My mentality in training camp was that if I wasn't going to play here, I was going to play somewhere else. I come to work and I don't cause any problems."

It didn't take long for him to become valuable again.

Henry was arrested twice in June, bringing his total to four arrests in seven months and clouding his future. Last week, the NFL suspended him without pay for the next two games, leaving the No. 3 receiver slot open.

No. 2 receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh bruised his heel during training camp and missed the first two games, giving Washington a chance to play. He has nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

With receiver Tab Perry bothered by a sore hip and Henry suspended, Washington and Antonio Chatman are likely to play against Tampa Bay (0-4) Sunday.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006