The Bengals signed free agent RB Cedric Benson and placed RB DeDe Dorsey on the reserve/injured list, the team announced Tuesday. Dorsey, a third-year player from Lindenwood College, played in this season?s first four games but suffered a hamstring injury last weekend against Cleveland.

Carson Palmer has declared that he is going to play for the Bengals this Sunday against the Cowboys despite missing Week Four's loss to the Browns with a sore elbow. "I've already made up my mind I'm playing," Palmer said. "I'm going to do what I can in practice and do what they let me do, but I'm 100 percent expecting to play going into this game, and planning on playing. I'll probably be limited in practice, but I'll do what I can." Cincinnati decided to sit Palmer for a game on doctors' advice. Palmer indicated Monday the injury isn't serious enough to require surgery.

Carson Palmer will be sidelined Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, moving Ryan Fitzpatrick into a starting role. Palmer has a sore right elbow. Palmer was listed as the emergency quarterback for the winless Bengals, who haven't been able to protect their quarterback very well. Palmer had a broken nose in the preseason, and had his nose bloodied again last Sunday in an overtime loss to the Giants. He also slightly sprained his left ankle.

Chad Ocho Cinco played "The Girl Is Mine" on the locker room sound system Thursday afternoon. The Michael Jackson-Paul McCartney duet wasn't well received with rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley. Shirley walked by the stereo and turned it off. Ocho Cinco playfully came after him moments later. The two wrestled for a few minutes, with Ocho Cinco mostly laughing and clinging to Shirley's leg.

Chad Ocho Cinco took the field in Baltimore for warm-ups Sunday with his new last name across the top of the back of the jersey. When he re-appeared for the start of the game, his jersey read C. Johnson again. ALhough last week when the NFL and the Bengals officially recognized Johnson's legal name change to Chad Ocho Cinco, Reebok doesn't. "He has a financial obligation to Reebok, which produces the jerseys available to fans," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Associated Press Sunday. "That has to be resolved before the on-field jersey can be changed. The same obligation exists for any player that changes his number or name."

Running back Shaun Alexander has no plans to retire and expects to sign on with a team in the near future, according to Associated Press. Alexander, 31, says that he has received "a constant flow of calls," including some from his hometown Bengals. "Man, I'm healthy and excited to play. And I think this year can be a big year for me if I get the opportunity. I can still play the game. I think I can help a team get to the Super Bowl," Alexander said. He said he'd sign for the veteran minimum because "I've never played for money."

The Bengals announced that they will refer to the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson by his new legal name Chad Ocho Cinco in all club business. That includes the back of his jersey for Sunday's season opener at Baltimore.

Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis helped his friend Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson get through "some rough" times this summer, according to Associated Press. "That was the same message I relayed to him and a couple of other guys around the league that were going through the same thing," Lewis said Wednesday. "I was like: Keep your peace. Let the business side of the business take care of itself, but keep your peace and always stay who Chad is, and that's just loving the game of football." Johnson was unhappy with his team, but Lewis told Chad to read some Bible verses and be grateful that he's in the NFL. "He's my spiritual father when I'm having problems," Johnson said on Wednesday. "Ray has been there for me through everything. Ray is really the only reason I've somewhat shut up and calmed down and came back and refocused my energy on helping my team get to the playoffs and all my energy being positive."

Bengal's wide receiver Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson said on Monday that he will play in the team's season opener this weekend against the Ravens, according to ESPN.com's James Walker. He said he's "super, extra focused" in both in mind and body despite suffering a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with me, trust me," Johnson said. "I mean, you'll see it on Sunday. I can do everything. I can hit you with my left right now, but I'm not going to. I'm fine. I'll give you a story after Sunday."

The Lions could be close to a deal with free agent running back Rudi Johnson after he met with the team on Sunday afternoon, according to Detroit Free Press. A Lions spokesman confirmed that Johnson, released by the Bengals on Saturday, was set to meet with coaches Sunday night.