Team makes 22 roster moves

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Rookie wide receiver Reggie McNeal, center Ben Wilkerson and tight end Ronnie Ghent were among the major names of players waived this afternoon by the Cincinnati Bengals.

In addition to waiving McNeal, the Bengals also placed another rookie wide receiver, Bennie Brazell, on the injured reserve. Brazell is not eligible to play this season; he injured his hamstring and knee in training camp. The Bengals also placed cornerback Patrick Body (foot) and defensive tackle Marcus Lewis (ankle) on IR.

The Bengals made 22 roster moves to cut down to the league limit of 53 players by the deadline of 4 p.m. today.

The roster is set -- for now. There could be a few more changes announced Sunday, after the Bengals have a chance to claim players off waivers or sign free agent players with five or more years.

"We'll see if there are any subtractions/additions we can make," coach Marvin Lewis said this afternoon. "We kept the best 53 players today."

The Bengals placed three players on the PUP (physically unable to perform list), meaning they will not be eligible for the first six weeks. Tailback Chris Perry (ankle), defensive end Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) and offensive tackle Adam Kieft (knee) are not eligible to play until the game Oct. 22 at home against Carolina.

Without Perry, a dangerous third-down back, the Bengals are not set to go with four running backs: tailbacks Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson and Quincy Wilson and fullback Jeremi Johnson.
Wilson, who rushed for 217 yards on 50 carries in the preseason, made the 53-man squad.

Perry said a week ago that the Bengals’ medical staff misdiagnosed the severity of his knee and ankle injuries, forcing him to get an outside opinion and undergo surgery in late April – delaying his recovery and ability to be ready for the start of the season.

By cutting Ghent, the Bengals are keeping just two tight ends: starter Reggie Kelly and backup Tony Stewart.

The Bengals are keeping nine offensive linemen.

The Bengals are weighted toward defense, where 26 roster spots are devoted to defensive players.

WAIVED: wide receivers Glenn Holt, P.K. Sam and McNeal, offensive linemen Nate Livings, Kyle Takavitz, Pete Lougheed and Wilkerson, tight ends Darnell Sanders, David Jones and Ghent, running backs DeDe Dorsey, Naufahu Tahi and Chris Manderino, defensive lineman Eric Henderson and safety John Busing.

PUP: tailback Chris Perry, defensive end Jonathan Fanene and offensive lineman Adam Kieft.

IR: wide receiver Bennie Brazell, cornerback Patrick Body and defensive tackle Marcus Lewis.

SUSPENDED: Linebacker Odell Thurman was officially placed on the "Reserve/Suspended
by Commissioner" list for his second violation of the league substance abuse policy.

Almost all of the waived players are eligible to be signed to the practice squad if they clear waivers in the next 24 hours.

Among the young players the Bengals are hoping to sign to their practice squad are Busing, McNeal and Henderson.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com