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The Bengals sophomore safety has had surgery to repair a torn left labrum, head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday. After starting at three different positions as a rookie because of injuries to other players, Williams is the one who must be replaced in the lineup.

Lewis confirmed that Williams underwent the procedure, although he would not say how long Williams would be out of uniform. According to the Johns Hopkins department of orthopedic surgery Web site, the recovery time for surgery on a torn labrum can be anywhere from eight to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the tear and the success of the surgery.

If that is the case, there is a possibility he could return by the end of the regular season or, should the Bengals make the playoffs, the postseason.

Williams injured the shoulder in a non-contract drill during practice Sept. 30 prior to the game against Houston. He has missed three of the last four games, playing only against Tennessee two weeks ago.

Kevin Kaesviharn will start Sunday's home game against Green Bay at free safety in place of Williams, with Ifeanyi Ohalete moving into Kaesviharn's spot at strong safety. Anthony Mitchell is the backup at both spots with Reggie Myles also a reserve. The Bengals have two safeties on their practice squad, Tony Bua and Herana-Daze Jones. Bua has NFL experience having played in seven games with Miami last season.

The surgical procedure is similar to one linebacker Landon Johnson underwent this past offseason. Johnson played his entire rookie season at middle linebacker with a torn labrum and led the team in tackles. Johnson rested from offseason workouts and has not had any physical problems this season.

- Wide receiver Chad Johnson is looking forward to playing against Green Bay cornerback Al Harris, an eight-year veteran who began his career on Tampa Bay's practice squad.

"I want everyone to pay attention to the battle this week, which will probably be one of the best. Like Ali and Frazier. They did fight, right?" Johnson said. "Now it's Harris and Johnson. It's going to be a very, very good battle down in the Jungle. It's probably going to be a classic. This is probably the best defensive back that does not get the credit that he should and I will make sure that he gets it this week.

"Oh my goodness, at the line he will try to knock your head off," Johnson said. "He is one of the best. It's a stretch for me to say but I've gone against almost everybody in this league, but behind Champ Bailey he's probably second because he's that type of island cover corner that can lock down one side by himself."

Johnson is third in the NFL with 43 receptions and second with 655 receiving yards to go along with five touchdowns. He was serious in his admiration of Harris, who has played in 128 consecutive games since 1998 and has 13 career interceptions and 94 passes defensed. Of course he wasn't too serious to talk a little smack.

"There are two things for brother Harris this week," said Johnson. "The bad thing is he has to cover me. The good is he can save 15 percent by switching his insurance to Geico."

"If my guy does well, it'll be lot of fun to look at," said Sherman. "Chad is tough. He's a tremendous competitor in his own right. He's fierce. He's courageous and has all the attributes you look for in a wide receiver."

- Three Bengals are questionable and three are listed as probable for Sunday's game. Linebacker David Pollack (knee), kick returner Tab Perry (back) and center Eric Ghiaciuc (ankle) are all 50-50, while cornerback Keiwan Ratliff (hip), running back Rudi Johnson (knee) and defensive tackle John Thornton (back) are all probable. None practiced Wednesday.

- Sunday's game will be just the 10th meeting between the Packers and Bengals and the first since 1998. Green Bay won that game, 13-6, and has won the last three games against the Bengals. The Packers lead the overall series 5-4. Right tackle Willie Anderson and center Rich Braham are the only players remaining on Cincinnati's roster that played in that game.

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