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Sports TwitterBengals cut 2, name captains; Pollack moved to PUP
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
CINCINNATI — On a day when the Bengals named quarterback Carson Palmer and defensive tackle John Thornton as team captains, the club announced a series of moves that reduced the roster to 74 in accordance with today's NFL-mandated cut to 75 or fewer players.
There was only one mild surprise regarding outside linebacker David Pollack, the club's first-round draft pick in 2005.
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Instead of placing Pollack on the season-ending Injured Reserve list, the Bengals placed Pollack on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Pollack continues rehab from a neck fracture suffered on Sept. 17, 2006, against Cleveland.
Officially, Pollack is sidelined for the first six weeks of the regular season. After an additional three-week window, the club must make one of three moves — place him on IR, ending his season; activate him to the 53-man roster; or release him. Look for Pollack to go on IR sometime in October or November.
"Procedurally, we're not going to close any doors until we have to close them," Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said. "But there are still no plans for David to play in 2007 at this point. Our primary goal is for him to get fully recovered."
Fullback Stan White of Ohio State and wide receiver Tony Kays of Cal-Davis were waived; offensive tackle Adam Kieft went on Injured Reserve; and defensive end Jimmy Verdon was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury-Europe list.
A roster spot remains open in case the Bengals need to sign a kicker for Friday's preseason finale against Indianapolis because of Shayne Graham's right hip pointer, an injury suffered in Monday night's 24-19 loss at Atlanta.
Kieft suffered a left foot fracture on Aug. 18 against New Orleans, while Verdon suffered a knee injury in NFL Europe this past spring. Verdon will continue rehab in both Cincinnati and Birmingham, Ala.
White and Kays had signed with the Bengals as college free agents in May.
In accordance with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's initiative to strengthen the leadership roles of team captains, the Bengals will have the first season-long team captains of head coach Marvin Lewis' five-year tenure.
Palmer was named the offensive captain and Thornton was selected as the defensive captain in a recent vote by the full team. Both players will wear the NFL's new captains' patches on their uniform jerseys.
"This is a significant honor conferred on Carson and John by their teammates," Lewis said. "They are clearly deserving, and we are excited to have them in this role."
Lewis said he will also continue to name weekly team captains from the offense, defense and special teams.
"A number of our players received a significant number of votes (for the season-long captain positions) and we value their leadership as well," Lewis added. "Our weekly team captain decisions will be based on player performance, as well as on specific factors regarding the upcoming opponent."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
