Bengals Bytes (8/31): Special turnover

Vontaze Burfict on Poise, Playoff Collapses and Pittsburgh

In case you’re wondering, the Bengals linebacker doesn’t give ‘no f---s’ about the Steelers. The bigger question is whether he and Cincinnati have learned from last January’s disaster and can keep their cool when the heat rises again this year

Kick start for evolving special teams group

The Bengals kicking game that has had as much to do with their run of five straight post-season berths as the A.J. Green-Andy Dalton connection and the Geno Atkins-led defensive line has undergone a youthful facelift less than two weeks before the opener. On Tuesday they released their primary punt and kick returner of the last five seasons when they let go wide receiver Brandon Tate and relented to the relentless youth movement staged by rookie wide receivers Alex Erickson and Tyler Boyd in the return game.

Lewis News Conference Transcript 8/30

Opening Comments: “Yesterday and today with our releasing players, is one of the more difficult times in this job and responsibility. Guys have worked really hard, and then you have to tell them that their time is not here and now. It may be in the future or down the line, but not right now. Like today with Brandon Tate, who has meant a great deal to our football team."

Tate in cut to 75: 'He’s a guy that helped us more than people realize'; Peerman return?

The Bengals made one of those hard moves minus the knocks before Tuesday morning’s walk-through when they released wide receiver Brandon Tate, the franchise’s all-time leading punt returner highly regarded in the locker room as a “pro’s pro.” “I’m at a loss for words on that one,” said cornerback Adam Jones, his return partner.

Cincinnati Bengals release punt returner Brandon Tate in cut to 75

The Cincinnati Bengals cut 13 total players on Monday and Tuesday and sent one player to injured reserve and another to the physically unable to perform list. The decision to release wide receiver Brandon Tate, the team's all-time leading punt returner, couldn't have been easy. But with Tate's punt return average dwindling to 6.3 yards per return and rookie Alex Erickson on his tail in the preseason, there really was no choice.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Peerman to have surgery, but prognosis better than expected

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Peerman's prognosis is better than the team hoped after he fractured his forearm on Sunday, but he'll still need surgery to fix the break, according to Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons.

Bengals notes: RBs with opportunity, reaction to cuts

A look at opportunity for rookies Bronson Hill and Tra Carson, plus, Andrew Whitworth on shortened preseason, Zach Hocker not getting a real shot, Mario Alford's cut and Brandon Thompson's outlook.

Bengals Beat podcast: Projecting the 53

Enquirer Bengals beat writers Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski run through the roster battles and project who will make the 53-man roster as well as assess fallout from the cut already made, including veteran receiver and returner Brandon Tate.

Brandon Tate released, Alex Erickson earns punt return job

The Cincinnati Bengals cut their roster to 75 before the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday by making four roster moves, the most notable being the termination of veteran kick returner and wide receiver Brandon Tate's contract.

AFC North Bytes

Ladarius Green put onto PUP list

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green continues to recover from March ankle surgery but is also dealing with headaches that have kept him off the field and landed him on the PUP list. It is uncertain when he will return to action.

Ravens Make Final Four Roster Moves To Get To 75

The Ravens have placed RB Lorenzo Taliaferro on the regular-season PUP list, DE Bronson Kaufusi (broken ankle) and tackle Stephane Nembot on IR and waived kicker Wil Lutz.

Jim Brown comments on Colin Kaepernick situation, says 'I am with him 100 percent'

Jim Brown stands "100 percent" behind Colin Kaepernick in his decision not to stand for the national anthem before games. Brown, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back and longtime social activist, appeared on a panel discussion on the NFL Network on Monday night and said that Kaepernick "made all the sense in the world" in explaining his position.

Random Bytes

Teddy Bridgewater is gone and Shaun Hill isn't saving the day for the Vikings

Anyone in the Minnesota Vikings front office still have Brett Favre’s telephone number handy? Yes, it’s a bad joke. But gallows humor is fitting in Minnesota where Super Bowl LI hopes crumbled Tuesday in the same fashion as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s left knee.

2016 NFL Biggest strength, weakness for all 32 NFL teams

Any team that has A.J. Green has potency in its passing attack, but Cincinnati's biggest flaw is the roster depth behind Green. NFL Nation narrows down each team's area of strength and weakness.

AFC East primer: Adam Gase's 'Fins trending up

Heading into the 2016 campaign, Around The NFL is taking a closer look at each division over the course of this week. Which storylines -- and players -- will define the coming months within each of the league's eight sectors? Check out the AFC East entry below.

Bosa hits the field for first practice with Chargers

Rookie defensive end Joey Bosa finally made it back onto the field for the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday after a long holdout. From a fitness perspective, coach Mike McCoy said the No. 3 pick in this year's draft looked fine.

Justin Houston put on PUP list

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston has been placed on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from a knee injury. It is uncertain when he will return to action.