Receiver Chris Henry is back with the Cincinnati Bengals because their owner has a soft spot for troubled players.

Henry signed a two-year deal yesterday with the team that let him go after he was arrested for the fifth time, a decision that seemed to mark a change in philosophy for owner Mike Brown. Instead, it was an aberration. The Bengals took him back at Brown's behest.

Coach Marvin Lewis, who had no interest in bringing back the troubled receiver, said Brown wanted to give Henry yet another chance.

"I obviously know that at the end of the day, that the owner has the final say-so on whether or not he wants to give a guy an opportunity or not," Lewis said, following an evening practice. "Mike has wanted to give Chris this opportunity, and asks that we do the best job that we can to try to prepare him and get him ready to play football."

The Bengals released Henry after he was accused of punching a college student and breaking his car window with a beer bottle in March. Henry was one of 10 Bengals arrested during a 14-month span — a local judge referred to the receiver as a "one-man crime wave."

The decision to let Henry go seemed to mark a major change for the Bengals owner.

"His conduct can no longer be tolerated," Brown said at the time. "The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL. ... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team."

Brown declined to be interviewed yesterday about his change of heart. However, during an interview last month, Brown said he still believed in giving players chances to change their lives.

"I guess the world is divided up between redeemers and non-redeemers," Brown said at the time. "I happen to be a redeemer. I think people can be made better and right. If that's a fault, so be it."

Henry has been in trouble repeatedly since the Bengals drafted him in the third round in 2005. Henry was suspended by the league for two games in 2006 and for the first eight games of last season for repeatedly violating its conduct policies.

He was suspended indefinitely by the league following his latest arrest, the one that led the Bengals to release him. After a mistrial, prosecutors dropped the charges against Henry and his suspension was reduced to four games.

Henry said the Bengals were the only team willing to offer a contract at this time.

"My agents spoke with other teams, but as far as signing, there was none of them," Henry said, dressed in street clothes while the team finished practice.

CARDINALS

RECEIVER BOLDIN SAYS HE WANTS TO BE TRADED

Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin asked to be traded, saying he doesn't feel his situation can be resolved and declaring he has no relationship with coach Ken Whisenhunt.

"I'm a football player. That's about it," Boldin said yesterday when asked to characterize his dealings with the coach these days.

A team spokesman said the Cardinals have no plans to trade the sixth-year standout and still hope to sign him to a contract extension.

Whisenhunt sounded puzzled when discussing reports that Boldin had said he was no longer speaking to the coach.

"We've been communicating," he said. "If communicating is talking, that's what we have been doing at practice. As we go forward, I don't know. I don't foresee anything changing. If it does, it's in his court."

BILLS

QB EDWARDS SUSTAINS DEEP BRUISE TO LEG

Buffalo starting quarterback Trent Edwards sustained a deep bruise to his right quadriceps during practice last night, and it's unclear whether he'll return to practice this week.

Coach Dick Jauron said trainers began treating the thigh injury immediately to reduce any potential swelling after Edwards walked off the field with a slight limp. Jauron said it was too early to determine whether Edwards would be able to practice today or play in Buffalo's preseason game at Indianapolis on Sunday.

ELSEWHERE

Raiders: Oakland cornerback DeAngelo Hall has ligament damage in his right hand and may have to wear a protective cast for the rest of the preseason. "I talked to my doctor and he said I tore some ligaments or something," Hall said as he walked off the practice field yesterday. "I don't know. We'll see how it goes."

Seahawks: A day after he returned to the practice field, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is again dealing with a balky back. Hasselbeck left yesterday morning's practice after about 45 minutes when his back began to tighten up. He returned at the start of the afternoon session to do some stretching with the team, but walked off the field and back into the locker room with the rest of the injured Seahawks. The Pro Bowl quarterback fully participated in a practice Monday for the first time since his back stiffened following Seattle's first preseason game against Minnesota on Aug. 8.

Falcons: Atlanta cut veteran wide receiver Joe Horn yesterday. The 36-year-old Horn was released by the Falcons, who will receive no return on his guaranteed $2.5 million salary for 2008.

Patriots: New England released 13-year veteran tight end Marcus Pollard yesterday. The Patriots also signed rookie tight end Tyson DeVree, who joins Benjamin Watson, David Thomas and Stephen Spach at that position.

Steelers: Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu participated in a full practice for the first time this preseason yesterday. Polamalu had injured his hamstring before training camp.

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay offensive lineman Davin Joseph injured his foot during Sunday night's preseason victory over New England and could be out for the Buccaneers' season opener. The Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times reported the third-year guard, the Bucs' first-round draft pick two seasons ago, underwent surgery for a broken foot. However, there was no confirmation from coach Jon Gruden or the team on the nature or severity of the injury.