It's been an uncharacteristically busy few days preceding training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals, as they've been adding and subtracting players from the roster. After the releases of safety Taylor Mays, undrafted free agent cornerback, Corey Tindal and undrafted rookie running back Dy'Shawn Mobley, the club made more moves on Tuesday.
After it was reported the team was signing University of Calgary wide receiver Rashaun Simonise as an undrafted free agent following the supplemental draft, the club officially announced his signing of a contract almost two weeks after the event. Simonise was deemed academically ineligible this year after he had an outstanding 2015 campaign with 1,079 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches. He'll be fighting for a back end roster spot in the receiver position group, while also likely getting looks as a kick returner.
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Meanwhile, the Bengals added another name to their recent cuts list. Defensive end Dezmond Johnson was let go just days before the onset of training camp. He was added as a free agent to the club on January 5th after not being on a 2015 active roster. He spent some preseason time with the Tennessee Titans last summer, but was released by them, too.
At 250 pounds, Johnson didn't really fit the mold of the giant defensive ends the Bengals mostly employ. It's possible he would also be looked at as an outside linebacker, but he won't be getting the chance to build off of the progress he showed in spring camps.
With the waiving of Johnson and the addition of Simonise, it brings the Bengals' current roster number to 86. There are a number of big-name, over-the-hill veterans on the free agent market, but news has been quiet on the team's interest level of late. In fact, Bengals radio color analyst Dave Lapham recently stated that he felt defensive end Dwight Freeney, who was in town for a visit a couple of months ago, wouldn't sign somewhere until after Week 1 of the season.
Even with Simonise coming on board, some feel wide receiver might be addressed to fill out the 90-man roster before camp. Roddy White, Andre Johnson and others could be guys on the Bengals' radar, if that's where they are indeed looking.