Chad Ocho Cinco is off the pace he has set in recent years with Cincinnati. (Tom Uhlman/Associated Press)

The Cincinnati Bengals said hours before Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers that outspoken wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, formerly known as Chad Johnson, will be deactivated for violating a team rule.

The Bengals did not specify the violation and said there would be no further comment until after the game.

Ocho Cinco had ankle surgery in June and a shoulder injury in August and has not been as involved in the Bengals' offence as in previous years.

He has 41 catches, none for more than 22 yards, and four touchdowns through 10 games. He legally changed his name in August, his new surname matching his No. 85.

Cincinnati (1-8-1) returns to the field just four days after playing the first tie game in the NFL in six years. The Bengals and Eagles ended deadlocked 13-13.

The Steelers sacked Cincinnati's Ryan Fitzpatrick seven times during a 38-10 loss to Pittsburgh last month.

"That's their game, they try to make sure you're uncomfortable back there," said Fitzpatrick. "And with their rush, and how hard they come sometimes, it's uncomfortable."

Tough Steeler defence

Pittsburgh is also stingy against the run, but coach Mike Tomlin didn't want to anoint his team's defensive unit as a great one just yet.

"Great defences are made in November, December and January and, hopefully, late January," said Tomlin. "Those are the true great ones."

Pittsburgh defeated San Diego 11-10 on Sunday. The Steelers gained 410 yards of offence but trailed much of the game until Jeff Reed kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining.

An incorrect ruling cost them further points on an apparent defensive touchdown scored by safety Troy Polamalu on the game's final play.

The Steelers (7-3) can't afford to look past their lowly opponent this week. They play New England, Dallas, Baltimore and currently unbeaten Tennessee in the coming weeks.

"They don't have anything to lose, and that makes them dangerous," linebacker James Farrior said. "They're going to pull out all the stops. This is probably one of those games where everything goes."

The game time temperature at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh is expected to be below freezing, with a chance of snow flurries.