CINCINNATI -- The biggest noise to come out of the Cincinnati Bengals locker room Wednesday was no noise at all.

Not even from the person occupying Chad Johnson's locker.

Johnson, the always quotable three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was uncharacteristically silent yesterday, the recipient of an apparent gag order issued by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

Two days after he was told by a "higher authority," -- presumably Lewis -- not to talk to the media, the Bengals best player and trash talker declined all interview requests again. It was the first day of locker room access in advance of the Bengals' playoff game Sunday against the Steelers.

Missing, too, was the list taped to Johnson's locker that mentioned all of the defensive backs he boasted of beating this season.

Asked by a reporter if he had anything to say, Johnson said, "Only if you want to pay my fine."

That was the sole insight offered by Johnson during 45 minutes of media availability, and that didn't seem to sit well with the man who relishes being the center of attention.

Putting a muzzle on Johnson is like taking the saxophone away from Kenny G or the paint brush from Norman Rockwell. Talking is as much a part of Johnson's artistry as his pass catching, which he did well enough this season to lead the AFC with 97 receptions and 1,432 yards.

Johnson had a glum look on his face as he sat quietly in front of his locker while the spotlight shifted to fellow wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who dresses in the adjoining stall.

As reporters continued to surround Houshmandzadeh, Johnson munched on chicken and rice, nibbled on a banana, then put headphones over his Bengals stocking cap and listened to music. A month ago, before the second Steelers-Bengals matchup, Johnson donned a Terrible Towel as a bib while eating in front of reporters.

This time, nothing.

"You guys probably wore him out," Houshmandzadeh said. "Sometimes, a guy needs a rest. Hopefully, he'll have a lot to say after the game."

Johnson insinuated that Lewis was behind the gag order. Lewis, however, offered a countering viewpoint.

"Don't put Marvin Lewis on that decision. Put Chad Johnson on that decision," Lewis said. "It was a good decision by Chad. He wants the focus to be on the week, which is good.

"He came to me and asked if it was OK and if he could throw me under the bus, and I said, 'Throw me under the bus.' "

No matter who orchestrated the gag order, it was a highly unusual tactic. Consider that during the regular season, Johnson willingly participated in 15 of 16 weekly conference calls -- a process that many players dread -- held for out-of-town media. That included both regular-season meetings with the Steelers.

When it was mentioned to Lewis that it took the first Bengals playoff appearance in 15 years to get Johnson to shut up, the coach smiled and said, "We've got to get here every year then."