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Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis remained noncommittal about the prospect of signing a kicker to replace Shayne Graham, who suffered a right hip pointer in a 24-19 preseason loss at Atlanta on Monday night. Nevertheless, the club is holding open a roster spot for a new face with a fresh leg after reducing the roster to 74, one under the NFL-mandated limit of 75, on Tuesday. Graham left the game in the second quarter and didn't return. He'll be limited in practice this week as the club prepares for Friday's preseason finale against Indianapolis. For now, punter Kyle Larson will practice kickoffs, field goals and extra points. "Had this been a regular-season game," Lewis said, "(Graham) probably would have been able to come back and do something. Had this been a regular-season game (and Graham couldn't kick), we would've had Kyle kick the extra points."
Instead, the Bengals failed on a pair of 2-point conversion attempts, passes by Carson Palmer and backup Doug Johnson. "We do a lot of practice on those things, but never get an opportunity to run 'em live," Lewis said. "I wanted the offense to take those chances and put the quarterback in that situation." Roster moves: Fullback Stan White of Ohio State and wide receiver Tony Kays of Cal-Davis were waived; offensive tackle Adam Kieft went on injured reserve, ending his season; and defensive end Jimmy Verdon was placed on the reserve/nonfootball injury list. Kieft suffered a left foot fracture Aug. 18 against New Orleans. Verdon suffered a knee injury in NFL Europe in the spring. White and Kays had signed as college free agents in May. Team captains: Palmer and defensive tackle John Thornton were named offensive and defensive captains in a vote by the squads. Both players will wear the NFL's new captain patches on their uniform jerseys. The move to name season-long captains is in accordance with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's initiative to strengthen the leadership roles of team captains. Family reunion: Left tackle Levi Jones (left knee) saw his first action of the preseason against Atlanta. Right tackle Willie Anderson (right foot) is about to return. "We'll have Willie back at practice this week," Lewis said. "He should get some snaps against Indianapolis, barring any setbacks." Next game Who: Colts at Bengals When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/08/28/ddn082907bengals.html |
