RB Jesse Chatman has returned after being suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on steroids and related substances. He is at 210 pounds and expects to work his way onto the 45-man game-day roster for the game against Cincinnati. This week, Chatman is taking FS Eric Smith's place on the roster. Smith's appeal of his one-game NFL-imposed suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona's Anquan Boldin was denied.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--P Reggie Hodges will punt against Cincinnati. He is recovering from a hamstring injury.

--FS Abram Elam is likely to start in place of suspended FS Eric Smith against the Bengals. Elam started eight games last year before losing his starting job to Smith in the off-season.

--RT Damien Woody didn't practice Wednesday because of an illness.

--WR David Clowney, who is recovering from a fractured clavicle, has been ruled out for the Cincinnati game.

--K Mike Nugent (thigh), who was injured opening day and has missed three straight games, will miss another one. He has been ruled out for the Cincinnati game.

GAME PLAN: The Jets have struggled running the ball the past two games, but that figures to change here as Cincinnati has been pushed around up front, allowing 4.5 yards per carry. Look for them to try to get Thomas Jones established early on the ground. The Cincinnati defense hasn't made many big plays against the pass, either, with only three sacks and two interceptions in five games. On defense, the Jets must contain WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco, who totaled seven receptions for 145 yards in last year's win by the Bengals. The Jets should be able to shut down Cincinnati's anemic rushing offense, although they have re-signed journeyman Kenny Watson, who had a career-high 130 yards rushing against the Jets last season.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: CB Darrelle Revis vs. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. In last season's matchup, the Jets often used Hank Poteat, then the starting RCB, to cover Chad Johnson, so it wouldn't be surprising if Dwight Lowery works against Ocho Cinco this time and Revis draws Houshmandzadeh, the second-leading receiver in the AFC. Revis had a career-high two interceptions against Arizona.

DE Shaun Ellis vs. RT Stacy Andrews. Playing on the left side, Ellis has looked sharp so far in 2008, with one sack in three of the Jets' first four games. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer, who still has a sore elbow, will likely go with a lot of three-step drops and it will be interesting to see if the Jets' rejuvenated pass rush, led by Ellis and OLB Bryan Thomas (four sacks), can get pressure on him.

QB Brett Favre vs. Cincinnati secondary. Favre is coming off a career-high six-TD pass effort against Arizona, and while Cincinnati has been vulnerable to the run, the Bengals also don't make many big plays on defense against the pass. Cincinnati had only three sacks and two interceptions in five games.

INJURY IMPACT:

--NT Kris Jenkins (back) is being limited in practice to save his strength for Sundays, and that certainly worked against Arizona as he blocked a field-goal attempt and pressured Kurt Warner into an interception.

--CB Justin Miller (toe) is getting healthier and could return to action, especially with the secondary shorthanded because of FS Eric Smith's suspension.

--K Jay Feely again will fill in for Mike Nugent (thigh).