Bengals cut Eric Ward

The Cincinnati Bengals have waived wide receiver Eric Ward according to the Friday transactions report.

Ward was facing an uphill climb to make the Bengals' roster next year. His most likely chance of hanging with them would have been via the practice squad.

Because the Bengals are expected to draft one or even two receivers in this NFL draft, Ward was going to face an even bigger climb to even make the practice squad.

Ward entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in 2014 before being signed by the Tennessee Titans. After spending the year with them, Ward was injured/waived on May 20 following a back injury that he suffered during off-season workouts.

He reverted to the Titans Reserve/Injured list on May 21 and was waived Sept. 2, following completion of rehab. He signed  a futures/reserved contract in January with the Bengals, and has spent the offseason with Cincinnati until now.

During his final three seasons with Texas Tech, Ward averaged 83 receptions for 833 yards receiving and 31 receiving touchdowns. He was named to the second-team All-Big 12 Conference team during his senior season in 2013.