Receiver Chad Johnson didn’t show for the start of Bengals’ offseason conditioning on Monday.

“I’m not worried about him; I’m worried about the guys we have here,” Palmer said at a news conference Monday. “The guys that want to be here and want to work now are the guys who are in the locker room right now and are here today.”

Despite Palmer’s confirmation, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis would not say what players were present. Palmer did sound more upbeat when asked about other receivers such as Laveranues Coles, who was present.

Last year Ocho Cinco caused a major stir by skipping “voluntary” workouts and publicly stating his desire to be traded. It is not known if this absence is again hinting that he wants out of Cincinnati. Ocho Cinco has not been in contact with the Bengals recently.

Last year Cincinnati passed up trade offers because the team was unwilling to take an $8 million salary cap hit. This year that cap number is reduced to $4.87 million to trade Ocho Cinco, making it more of a possibility.

You’d think a guy coming off one of the worst seasons of his career would get his ass to every team workout program that his team offered – especially considering his quarterback missed all of last season due to injury. Who knows, maybe Ocho Cinco has a good reason for missing the program. Or maybe he’s just trying to get attention again. Either way, he needs to stop being a distraction so the Bengals can start turning things around.