Andre Smith Plans To Play Final Two Preseason Games; Evan Mathis and Leon Hall Also Missed Practice

We wrote earlier that Andre Smith wasn't dressed, which generated some concern with Smith's tenancy to put on weight could be problematic considering his injury could have prevented him from staying in shape on his own during the offseason. Geoff Hobson writes that Smith's goal is to play in the final two preseason games this year.

Smith, who missed all of the last camp in a rookie holdout, was one of what appeared to be five players not suited up. The Bengals had hoped the foot surgery that knocked Smith out of all of the spring workouts would be healed enough for him to line up in the first practice, but he said it's not there yet and they don't want to rush it. As for when he'll return to practice, he said "I'm taking it day by day."

Along with Smith and safety Tom Nelson, cornerback Leon Hall, guard Evan Mathis and PUP-lister Rashad Jeanty also missed the morning practice. According to Geoff:

Hall apparently tweaked his back in a workout a few days ago and is expected to be out only briefly and could be back as soon as the weekend.