Along with the (about damned time) return of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, the Bengals also welcomed wide receiver Ryan Whalen and linebacker Vontaze Burfict to the team's final training camp practice of the season, which was attended by 2,000 fans on Sunday. Despite the recent admission from Jay Gruden that Mohamed Sanu could be the team's backup slot receiver to Andrew Hawkins, who works most of the kickoff and punt (and coverage) teams and may need a breather during the games, Whalen spent most of the time practicing from the slot on Sunday.

Rookies Sanu and Marvin Jones keep impressing the coaching staff, however Whalen has missed several practices and both preseason games this year, reducing his probability of making the 53-man roster as we hit the halfway mark in preseason. Whalen, who has worked at all three wide receiver positions, is eligiable for the practice squad this year if he's released from the team and clears waivers after the 53-man roster is announced (and decides to sign with the team).