Sunday could be final Bengals game for 16 free agents

When the Cincinnati Bengals take the field for Sunday’s season finale against Baltimore, 16 players will do so with the realization it could be their final game in stripes.

“I think all season long I’ve probably put this game kind of out of my mind just because of that,” said left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has spent all 11 seasons of his career with the Bengals and is one of 14 players who will be unrestricted free agents new year.

“I don’t want to think like that,” added cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, another unrestricted free agent. “I love this organization. They did everything, taking a chance on me, especially in the draft with all the things I had gone through in my career. I don’t want to think like that. I want to think like we will get it done.”

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Of the 14 unrestricted free agents, seven are starters in Whitworth, Kirkpatrick, defensive tackle Domata Peko, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, linebacker Karlos Dansby, kicker Randy Bullock and right guard Kevin Zeitler.

“I really haven’t thought about it,” Zeitler said. “We’ll worry about that thought as soon as the Ravens game ends. Then we can think and talk about that. All that matters right now is we have to block that very, very good defense.”

The other unrestricted free agents are defensive end Wallace Gilberry, defensive tackles Margus Hunt and Brandon Thompson, running backs Rex Burkhead and Cedric Peerman, tackle Eric Winston and cornerback Chykie Brown.

Offensive lineman T.J. Johnson is a restricted free agent, while linebacker P.J. Dawson is an exclusive rights free agent.


Next game

Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV: Ch. 7, 12

Radio: 700-AM, 1530-AM, 102.7-FM, 104.7-FM

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