Bengals add LB Frazier to roster

Having suffered injuries at linebacker to starter David Pollack and the impending year-long suspension of linebacker Odell Thurman, the Bengals have signed former Steelers and UC linebacker Andre Frazier to the 53-man roster.

The Bengals will have to make a move to open a spot on the roster for Frazier. It is believed the team will place rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson on injured reserve, ending his season, with a hamstring injury.

The Bengals need linebacker help now. Neither of the transactions have been announced as official by the team.

The Bengals returned to practice this afternoon, and Brian Simmons (left knee) is not on the field. Starting outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty is questionable with a foot sprain, too.

Several defensive linemen, including end Justin Smith and tackle Sam Adams, were not on the field, either. Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) was working out in the weight room when practice starter.

Frazier played in 10 games as a rookie with the Steelers in 2005. He had two tackles, one sack and one forced fumble on defense. Frazier, who played high school ball at Hughes Center, also had eight special teams tackles during the regular season for Pittsburgh and four in the playoffs. He suffered a right leg injury making a special teams tackle during the AFC Championship Game at Denver and was played on injured reserve Jan. 24. He did accompany the Steelers team to Detroit, where it won Super Bowl XL.

Frazier is 6 feet 5, 235 pounds and made the Steelers roster as an undrafted rookie free agent.