CINCINNATI – Receiver Chris Henry was activated by the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday, having completed his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy.

The Bengals waived receiver Skyler Green, a second-year player from Louisiana State, to open a roster spot for Henry. Green played in the first seven games and had four catches for 40 yards. He also returned nine punts for a 4.2-yard average.

Henry was in the locker room yesterday but declined comment because the Bengals hadn’t yet added him to the active roster. The move was made later in the day.

The Bengals were looking forward to getting Henry back, hoping he could take some of the pressure off receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and help the offense get rolling. Instead, his return comes too late.

The Bengals fell to 2-6 on Sunday with a 33-21 loss in Buffalo. Henry’s suspension played a role in the team’s downfall, depriving the Bengals of one of their best threats near the goal line. Henry had nine touchdown catches in only 13 games last season, tying Houshmandzadeh for most by a Bengals receiver.

Last season, Henry was suspended by the league for two games and benched for another by coach Marvin Lewis because of his misconduct. Henry was charged in four cases during his first two seasons with the Bengals.

Lewis also declined to talk about Henry yesterday because he hadn’t been reinstated at the time of his news conference.

Henry is one of 10 Bengals who faced criminal charges in a 14-month span. The misconduct was a factor in commissioner Roger Goodall strengthening the league’s conduct policy this year.