DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — The Bengals needed an enforcer for their injury-riddled secondary.

So they sifted through the NFL's salvage yard and plucked former Ohio State All-American safety Mike Doss off the scrap heap.

The sixth-year veteran

is a big hitter with a history of injuries, but the Bengals signed Doss on Tuesday, Dec. 9, hoping he can give the secondary a lift.

To make room, the club waived defensive end Josh Mallard.

Doss, a 5-foot-10, 207-pounder from Canton, entered the NFL in 2003 as a second-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts (2003-06).

He signed a one-year deal with Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent in 2007 and played in nine games. He has not been with an NFL team previously this year.

Doss' career statistics include 260 tackles (198 solos), 17 pass breakups, seven interceptions and one sack in 54 games with 43 starts, plus two starts in five playoff games.

Jeanty wins 'courage' award

Linebacker Rashad Jeanty captured the Bengals' Ed Block Courage Award as the player who best demonstrates the values of sportsmanship and courage.

A badly bruised shin caused him to miss five games in '07. Despite lingering pain this season, Jeanty ranks third on the team in tackles (82), second in special teams stops (15) and tied for first in forced fumbles (2) in 13 games with 12 starts. He also has a special teams fumble recovery, an onside kick recovery, five QB hurries and two pass breakups.

Ocho Cinco's 'Palmer prediction'

During an interview on Dayton's WONE-AM (980) radio, wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco predicted quarterback Carson Palmer won't play the remainder of the season because of his injured right elbow.

"No, no, no, Carson won't see the field," Ocho Cinco said. "That would be crazy."

Practice squad gets new addition

Marcus Brown, a rookie cornerback from McNeese State, was signed to the practice squad. He spent the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals as a college free agent.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.