The Cincinnati Enquirer believes there's an 80 percent chance free agent RE Michael Johnson leaves the Bengals. The Enquirer gives the Bengals a 45 percent chance to retain free agent OT Anthony Collins. Cincinnati recently handed DT Geno Atkins and LE Carlos Dunlap huge extensions, making then far less likely to pony up for Johnson. Rotoworld currently ranks 27-year-old Johnson as the No. 1 free agent defensive end with an expiring contract, behind only Greg Hardy. We have Lamarr Houston third, Michael Bennett fourth, and Jared Allen fifth.

ESPN's Adam Caplan suggested on NFL Insiders Thursday that free agent DE Michael Johnson will command "maybe $10 million a year" on the open market. Bengals coaches want Johnson back, per Caplan, but Cincinnati won't franchise tag him for the second straight year and seems unlikely to commit long term to Johnson after locking up Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins, and using a 2013 second-round pick on Margus Hunt. Johnson is athletic enough to drop into coverage and rush with his hand up, so he figures to be pursued by both 4-3 and 3-4 teams. That "scheme versatility" will boost his market worth.

When making his rounds at the Senior Bowl last month, ESPN Falcons blogger Vaughn McClure was informed free agent RE Michael Johnson wouldn't mind "coming home" and playing for the Falcons. Johnson is from Alabama but played his college ball at Georgia Tech and was down there as recently as last spring taking classes. The Falcons' biggest need areas lie in the trenches on the defensive and offensive lines. They were 29th in the league with just 32 sacks last season. Johnson is unlikely to return to Cincinnati due to his price tag. The Falcons also don't have a ton of cash to play with, but teams can make things work. Johnson is our No. 2 free-agent defensive end.

The Bengals are "highly unlikely" to franchise tag RE Michael Johnson for the second straight year. Doing so would cost $13 million, soaking up nearly half of Cincy's projected $27 million in salary cap space. Johnson is also coming off a disappointing statistical season, managing 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles across 15 starts. On the open market, 27-year-old Johnson will be a high-risk signing because his motor has run hot and cold dating back to Georgia Tech.

Bengals declared RE Michael Johnson (concussion) and CB Leon Hall (hamstring) inactive for Week 5 against the Patriots. It makes for a sneaky good matchup for Tom Brady, who will be getting back Danny Amendola. Also inactive for the Bengals are CB Brandon Ghee, G/C Mike Pollak, RB Rex Burkhead, WR Ryan Whalen and OT Tanner Hawkinson.

Bengals RE Michael Johnson missed Friday's practice with a concussion and has yet to be medically cleared for Week 5. Johnson hasn't been ruled out, but he's very much in danger of missing Sunday's tilt with the Patriots. It'd be a big loss for a Cincinnati pass rush that has disappointed so far in 2013. They only have nine sacks through four games after ranking fourth in the NFL in sacks in 2012. Johnson has been the Bengals' best outside-edge presence. Wallace Gilberry backs him up.

Bengals RE Michael Johnson exited Monday night's Week 2 game versus Pittsburgh and is being evaluated for a possible concussion.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, 2013 "is" RE Michael Johnson's last year with the Bengals. That became clearer than ever when the Bengals sunk $40 million into Carlos Dunlap on Monday afternoon. Cincinnati never commits long term to franchise-tagged players, and Johnson is considerably further down the team's priority list than both Dunlap and contract-year DT Geno Atkins. An up-and-down performer to this point in his career, Johnson will have a ton to play for in 2013.

Bengals franchise player RE Michael Johnson does not expect to sign an extension before Monday's deadline. "It's going to play out how it plays out," Johnson said in a Tuesday radio interview. "Play this year and worry about this stuff when the dust settles." As of now, Johnson, LE Carlos Dunlap and DT Geno Atkins are all ticketed for unrestricted free agency next offseason. It's hard to envision famously thrifty owner Mike Brown getting all three locked up.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, "indications are" the Bengals will not reach a long-term agreement with franchise player RE Michael Johnson before next Monday's deadline. That's been the consensus for some time now. The Bengals haven't signed a franchise player to a long-term deal since 2005. CBS' Jason La Canfora believes Johnson will be a "goner" from Cincinnati next offseason, as DT Geno Atkins will be a more likely candidate for the franchise tag. Johnson is making $11.2 million this season.