Oct 8, 2006 By Joe Kay Ap Sports Writer 2 min read

CINCINNATI – Bengals receiver Chris Henry received a two-game suspension Friday from the NFL for violating its conduct and substance abuse policies, making him the second Cincinnati player suspended this season for misconduct. The second-year receiver also was fined $20,000 by the league.

The Bengals have their bye this weekend, so Henry will sit out games against Tampa Bay and Carolina later this month.

Henry, who had a history of problems at West Virginia when the Bengals drafted him last year, has been arrested four times since last December.

Two cases have been settled – he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in northern Kentucky, and to a weapon charge in Florida. He avoided jail in both cases, but was subject to discipline from the NFL.

His other two cases are pending, including a drunken driving charge in Ohio.

In all, six Bengals players have been arrested this year on various charges, focusing attention on how the franchise drafted players with problems and how they dealt with them when they came to Cincinnati.

When commissioner Roger Goodell visited Cincinnati last month, he reminded the players of their responsibility to stay out of trouble.

Less than a week later, linebacker Odell Thurman – already suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy – was arrested on a drunken driving charge.

The league then suspended Thurman for the rest of the season. Coach Marvin Lewis had Thurman’s locker taken away from him, and told him to stay away from the team while he serves his punishment.

Henry, who was a passenger driven by Thurman, was benched by Lewis for the next game, a 38-13 loss to New England last Sunday.

Under the league’s suspension, Henry will be barred from practice for the next two weeks, but will be allowed to attend meetings.

Players had the weekend off because of the bye.

Lewis didn’t have any comment on Henry’s suspension.