Bengals cut four players

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals this afternoon made four roster cuts prior to practicing at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals released defensive end Derrick Crawford, offensive tackle Reese Hicks (Lebanon High School), wide receiver Freddie Milons and fullback Jeremy Thomas.

The releases drop the Bengals roster to 81 players.

In a pre-practice news conference, coach Marvin Lewis looked ahead at the third preseason game Friday night at Philadelphia.

Lewis listed the following players as questionable: defensive end Duane Clemons (ankle), cornerback Reggie Myles (groin, abdomen) and wide receiver Tab Perry (injury unknown).
Offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Belton Johnson are expected to return to practice.

Lewis also said he expected that kicker Shayne Graham (groin) would miss the Eagles game.
Cornerback Greg Brooks (hand) could begin practice this week in a limited degree. Lewis said he expected tight end Reggie Kelly (knee) and linebacker Caleb Miller (ankle) back in time to play in the preseason finale Sept. 2 against the Colts at home.

After watching film of the Bengals’ 24-17 victory at Washington on Friday night, Lewis said that starting quarterback Carson Palmer needs to play better.

“He didn’t play as well as he need to play, and he needs to keep playing better,” Lewis said of Palmer. “He knows there are some things he needs to do to get better. He’s learning a lot in these areas of what we can and can’t do. But we’ve got to be able to handle things early in the game.

“We’ve got to go out and make first downs and get the field position turned around.”
In the first four possessions Friday night at Washington, the Bengals starting offense gained just 61 yards on 22 plays. Drives ended in punts three times and a Palmer interception.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com