Bengals pick up kicker; Anderson to practice

The Bengals this morning announced they have claimed kicker Aaron Elling off waivers from Jacksonville. He was waived Monday by the Jaguars.

Also today, right tackle Willie Anderson said he would practice this afternoon. How he feels after working today and Thursday will determine whether he plays in the preseason finale Friday night against the Colts.

Tailback Chris Perry is not guaranteed to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and could be back sooner than expected from serious ankle surgery last season.

"He's really progressing well," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He might be further along than where we entered last season."

Starting the season on PUP, which he did last season, would have made Perry ineligible to play in the first six weeks (five games). Perry's return sooner than later would ease the season-ending loss of rookie tailback Kenny Irons. Irons was drafted to provide some of the same firepower outside in the run offense that Perry can.

Just as significant players get healthy, such as Anderson, Perry and left tackle Levi Jones, others are dropping off. Starting strong-side linebacker Rashad Jeanty will have surgery Friday on a lower leg injury. Safety Ethan Kilmer had knee surgery this morning and is out of action for a undisclosed amount of time.

Safety Dexter Jackson will not play Friday night after sustaining a concussion in the game at Atlanta.

Elling said he understands he will kick with the Bengals only until Shayne Graham is healthy

The Bengals inherit Elling's one-year contract. Whether Elling is a short-term stopgap or a long-time answer depends on the condition of kicker Graham's hip. Graham suffered a hip pointer in the exhibition loss Monday night at Atlanta. Lewis indicated that he expects Graham would be ready to kick in the regular season opener Sept. 10.

"We signed Aaron Elling to take over this week and relieve us, and we'll see where we are next week," Lewis said. "Shayne is progressing pretty well."

Elling is a fourth-year NFL player who is 19-for-28 on field goal attempts. He has been with three teams: Minnesota, Tennessee and Baltimore.