There is no sideline work for Carson Palmer this year. After having to watch his teammates go through offseason workouts, drills and practices without him last year, the Bengals quarterback quietly resumed his role under center Tuesday during the team's first of 12 organized team activity (OTA) days.

Last year Palmer worked with trainers and strength coaches as part of the rehabilitation process that resulted in him returning from surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments to start all 16 games last season. He was selected to a second straight Pro Bowl and become the first quarterback in franchise history to throw for more than 4,000 yards.

"He looked really good," said wide receiver Chad Johnson. "It's nice to have him out here. We can get ourselves in a rhythm right away."

Palmer split snaps with backup Doug Johnson and rookies Jeff Rowe and Jeff Smith. Last year Palmer did his own work off to the side as Anthony Wright, Johnson and rookie Erik Meyer took snaps.

"Especially at quarterback, every time you get a chance to work on your game, work on your timing and rhythm it's good," Palmer said. "Any time you have a chance to do that it improves your game and lets you take another step in your progress of becoming a better pro."

Palmer and his rehab progress were the focus of constant scrutiny last offseason. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis maintained throughout the process that Palmer would be ready for the season opener at Kansas City - eight months to the day from his surgery date - and he was proven correct.

There is no such scrutiny this offseason.

"He's had a great offseason and he's done a good job of picking up where he should have been after last season and taking those steps," Lewis said. "I think our offense will have a better feel for him right away and we'll be able to do more things this off- season and consider more things just because we know who will be behind center."

ABSENT FROM ACTION - All of the OTAs are voluntary, but most of the players on the roster were present. The most notable absentees were wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and cornerback Deltha O'Neal. Lewis was aware that Houshmandzadeh would not be at the workout, but O'Neal's no-show surprised the head coach.

"Deltha did tell me he'd be here today," Lewis said.

O'Neal went to the Pro Bowl in 2005, tying for the league lead with 10 interceptions, but faltered last year when he had just one interception and his overall level of play dropped. Keiwan Ratliff and first-round draft choice Leon Hall played in O'Neal's place.

"He has an opportunity to restart himself and this is good work for him to have and put his best foot forward," Lewis said. "He's really missing out on opportunities to do that. We all have the same tape throughout the NFL. It's not just people's opinion in Cincinnati. He's missing on some work that he shouldn't miss on. He'll just put himself further behind as time goes on."

Lewis did not specify why Houshmandzadeh was absent but did say that he would be in town for the mandatory minicamp June 1-3. Houshmandzadeh led the Bengals with 90 receptions last season for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns.

HENRY WORKING - Wide receiver Chris Henry won't be playing the first eight games this season, but he has been working out with the team this offseason and participated fully in Tuesday's OTA session. Henry politely declined comment after practice. Lewis has made him off limits to reporters.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month suspended Henry eight games without pay for violating the league's personal conduct policy. That didn't keep Henry from impressing his quarterback.

"Chris Henry, every time you watch him play you wish he could get 16 (games) in with us and you get excited about his return," Palmer said.

TOUGH RUN - Rookie running back Kenny Irons lost something carrying the football during one play on Tuesday - his shorts.

Players don't wear pads and there is no tackling during OTAs, but there is still a level of physicality to the practices. Ball carriers have to fully run through the play, blockers have to hold their blocks and defenders are taught to run to the ball and get their hands on the carrier.

Someone got too much of Kenny Irons' black shorts. As he broke through the line of scrimmage, his shorts began falling down. He was wearing biker's shorts underneath his regular shorts.

"It looks like he can run an arm tackle," said Palmer.

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