Bengals Place Andrew Hawkins to IR, Bring Dennis Roland Back, And Sign Greg McElroy

The Cincinnati Bengals announced many of their expected roster moves on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins was officially placed on Injured Reserve with a designation to return. Hawkins will be eligible to return to practice as early as week seven and will be eligible to play in week nine, but that completely depends on Hawkins' status and the team's plan. Hawkins finished the season last year second in receptions (51), receiving yards (533) and added four touchdowns.

Offensive tackle Dennis Roland, who was cut on Sunday after five seasons, 66 games, and 30 starts with the Bengals, returned to Cincinnati as Hawkins' replacement on the 53-man roster. Roland's return is essentially a contingency if the team suffers anymore setbacks on the offensive line. Andrew Whitworth continues to rehabilitate his knee and Andre Smith missed the preseason finale with his own knee injury. Smith isn't expected to miss any time at least.

McElroy became the eighth and final practice squad addition, completing the trifecta of roster moves by Cincinnati Wednesday morning. McElroy (6-2, 225; Alabama) is a third-year NFL player in 2013, having spent the last two seasons and the ’13 preseason with the N.Y. Jets. He passed 11-for-19 for 145 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for the Jets this past preseason, but suffered a knee injury. He was waived by the Jets this past Monday with an injury settlement.