Bengals Place Defensive Tackle Tank Johnson On Injured Reserve; Sign Cornerback Fred Bennett

On Monday the Cincinnati Bengals made more changes on defense, placing Frostee Rucker and Chris Crocker on Injured Reserve. In response, Antwan Odom rejoined the 53-man roster and the team signed cornerback Jonathan Wade.

On Tuesday the Bengals placed defensive tackle Tank Johnson on season-ending Injured Reserve and signed free agent cornerback Fred Bennett to the 53-man roster. Johnson missed the final three games this season against the Steelers, Colts and Bills with a knee injury that he suffered against the Miami Dolphins, finishing the year with a pedestrian 12 tackles.

After signing a one-year deal worth $620,000 in 2009, Johnson recorded a career-high 29 tackles and two sacks. Against the New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card game, Johnson tied for a team-high 10 tackles. In early March, the Bengals re-signed Johnson to a four-year deal with $2 million due this year, $2.25 million due in 2011 and $2.45 million due in 2012 and 2013.

Fred Bennett, a former fourth round pick by the Houston Texans, played cornerback at South Carolina where he was a two-time All-SEC cornerback and defensive captain as a senior in 2006. Bennett finished his collegiate career with nine interceptions and 108 tackles. Bennett was waived by the Texans in early August, after three seasons in which he recorded five career interceptions and 123 total tackles, and picked up by San Diego. He only played four games.