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 off-season 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 off-season 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.
