CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals say Chad Ocho Cinco, the wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson, will be deactivated for Thursday night's game with the Pittsburgh Steelers for violating a team rule..

The Bengals did not specify the violation and said there would be no further comment until after the game..

Ocho Cinco had ankle surgery in June and a shoulder injury in August and has not been as involved in the Bengals' offense as much as previous years. Meanwhile, his former college teammate, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hoosh-mihn-ZAH'-dah), has become the team's primary receiver..

Houshmandzadeh leads the NFL with 73 catches, and has four touchdowns. Ocho Cinco, a down-field threat in previous years, has 41 catches, none for more than 22 yards.

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