Wright has appendectomy; Johnson to be Bengals' No. 2 QB

CINCINNATI -- Anthony Wright's appendix was removed Friday after he became ill overnight, leaving the Cincinnati Bengals without their backup quarterback against Tampa Bay.

Doug Johnson, who was signed in the offseason and hasn't appeared in a game since 2004, will be the No. 2 quarterback while Wright recovers from the emergency appendectomy.

The Bengals (3-1), who are on the road Sunday, signed Wright in the offseason when they weren't sure Carson Palmer would be ready for the opener after reconstructive knee surgery. Palmer has played all four games, relegating Wright to a backup.

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger returned two weeks after his appendectomy, but has looked rusty and struggled after his quick comeback.