Cincinnati, OH -- (Sports Network) - After using harsh words during the offseason that he wanted to be traded, star wide receiver Chad Johnson attended the first day of the Cincinnati Bengals mandatory three-day minicamp on Thursday.

Choosing to skip all of the team's voluntary workouts leading up to minicamp, Johnson didn't participate in Thursday morning's workout with the Bengals, notifying the team of an injury. The Bengals said Johnson refused to practice in the morning due to a back problem. Later in the day, Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the receiver has an ankle problem that could require surgery.

Johnson then caught some passes during drills in the early part of the afternoon practice, but spent most of the remainder of the practice session with a towel over his head, trying to beat the 90-degree heat.

During the offseason, Johnson said he would never play for the Bengals again. The five-time Pro Bowl selection had 93 receptions for a career-high 1,440 yards and eight touchdowns last season when the Bengals finished with a 7-9 record.