Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, who said at one point in the offseason that he wanted out of Cincinnati and now appears resigned to the reality that he has no leverage in this regard, might not be able to practice when training camp opens on Monday, July 28.

Johnson is recovering from ankle surgery that inexplicably was delayed until June.

The pain-in-the-ass enigmatic receiver told Bengals.com on Wednesday that he can run in a straight line, but can’t cut.

“My ankle wouldn’t be able to take the pounding yet,” Johnson said.  ”I’ll be OK.  I’m not worried.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.” 

As a result, he thinks he might not be ready to go ten days from now.  “I’m going to make sure I don’t come back too fast,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to overdo it.  Because when I go out there I’m going to forget it and just go 100 percent.  They’re going to have to pull me out.”

Johnson showed up for a mandatory minicamp in June, but then cited his ankle (and other ailments) in support of a decision not to participate in the early practice sessions.  The team’s position was that he had passed a physical, which meant he was cleared to perform.  He eventually did.

It’ll be interesting to see whether there’s a similar difference of opinion this time around.