Bengals put Andre Smith on IR and sign Justin Murray; Connor Harris joins practice squad

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed Andre Smith on season-ending injured reserve.

In a corresponding move, the team signed Justin Murray off of the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. The Bengals also signed Connor Harris to the practice squad.

Smith, who is now in his ninth NFL season, was signed to a one-year deal this offseason to become the starting right guard. Though he spent his entire career at right tackle, the Bengals felt he could win that spot vacated by Kevin Zeitler, who left this past offseason to sign a big deal with the Cleveland Browns.

However, Smith ultimately lost to Trey Hopkins and spent the first few games coming off the bench. But Smith would go on to become the starting right tackle after Jake Fisher was lost for the season due to a heart condition.

Originally a first-round pick in 2009, Smith played his first seven seasons with the Bengals before signing with and playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. The Bengals re-signed him as an unrestricted free agent this year. He has played in 99 career games with 85 starts.

Murray, a first-year player who originally signed with Denver as a college free agent out of the University of Cincinnati in 2016, spent his entire rookie season on the Broncos’ practice squad.

The Broncos waived him during final cuts this year, and he spent the first 10 games this season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him from their practice squad on Nov. 21, and he was signed to the Saints’ practice squad on Dec. 4.

Harris, a rookie signed as a college free agent out of Lindenwood by the New York Jets this year, was waived during final cuts. He later spent eight games on Tampa Bay’s practice squad this season. Harris actually had a draftable grade going into the 2017 NFL Draft.