Thurman expected at camp Tuesday

GEORGETOWN, Ky. – The Bengals have reached agreement on a multi-year with rookie linebacker Odell Thurman, his agents said late tonight.

Thurman is expected to fly in from Atlanta overnight and be at the Bengals’ training camp in time to sign the deal Tuesday morning and practice at 3 p.m.

He has missed seven practices. His holdout lasted for five days.

Agent John Michels would not confirm the length of the contract, though it is believed to be for five years.

"We have a tentative agreement," Michels said. "It’s comparable to the deals around us."

The Bengals would not comment on the Thurman deal tonight, and team spokesman Jack Brennan said the Bengals would not confirm a deal or comment until the contract was signed.

Thurman’s deal leaves only first-round pick David Pollack, an outside linebacker, as the only unsigned player on the roster.

Pollack was listed on the depth chart dated July 10 as the started at strong-side linebacker. Thurman was listed as the starter in the middle. But he will face an uphill battle, even after missing just seven practices.

Second-year linebacker Landon Johnson has had an outstanding camp and earned rave reviews from linebackers coach Ricky Hunley after practice tonight.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com