The Bengals announced five roster moves on Tuesday, the most notable being linebacker Preston Brown placed on injured reserve. The team signed free agent defensive end Kasim Edebali to take Brown’s spot on the 53-man roster.
The Bengals also signed wide receiver Hunter Sharp and defensive end Aaron Wallace to the practice squad, and placed rookie defensive end Andrew Brown on the practice squad/injured list.
Preston Brown, who had played in and started seven games this season, had 42 tackles (27 solo), two sacks and four passes defensed. He suffered a knee injury in Game 9 vs. the Saints.
Edebali (6-2, 253; Boston College), a fifth-year player, was originally a college free agent of the Saints in 2014. He played three seasons (2014-16) with the Saints, before spending time in ’17 with the Broncos, Lions and Rams, and then rejoining the Saints late in the season.
Edebali was waived by the Saints in May, and then spent preseason with the Bears before being released at final cuts. He has played in 61 career games, and has 55 tackles, including eight sacks, with three passes defensed and a forced fumble. Edebali has been listed at LB in previous stops, but the Bengals list him as a defensive end.
Sharp (5-11, 198; Utah State), a first-year player, was originally a college free agent of the Eagles in 2016. He later spent time with the Broncos and Giants, and was most recently on Buffalo’s practice squad. Sharp has played in three career games, with one start, and has five catches for 54 yards and a TD.
Wallace (6-2, 242; UCLA), a third-year player, was originally a seventh-round draft pick of the Titans in 2016. He played in 13 career games for the Titans and totaled 17 tackles and a sack before being waived in September of this year.
Andrew Brown, who has been on the practice squad all season, suffered a hand injury in practice on Nov. 15.
Before making these moves, the Bengals worked out several other defensive linemen, including former Ohio State Buckeyes star Michael Bennett.
#Bengals worked out 4 DTs today including former Ohio St. DT Michael Bennett.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) November 20, 2018
The Bengals already have one former Ohio State defensive tackle in Adolphus Washington, who is expected to miss several weeks with a knee injury.
This is unfortunate news for Brown, a Cincinnati native who never missed a single game when he was on the Buffalo Bills. Brown was the NFL’s tackle leader last season and the expectations were high when he joined the Bengals’ linebacker unit in free agency this year. His time in Cincinnati has been underwhelming though as he’s battled multiple injuries, as has the Bengals’ linebacker unit. Nick Vigil has missed several weeks with a knee injury of his own and Vontaze Burfict just returned last week after missing games with a hip injury.
Brown will hit free agency at the end of the season and it’s unclear if he’s played his last game in a Bengals uniform.
— Preston Brown (@PB_Number2) November 20, 2018
Brown is the ninth player the Bengals have placed on IR this season and the second player signed in free agency this spring who has landed on the list. The tight end position takes up the most space on the IR list with Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, Mason Schreck, and Cethan Carter all done for the season with various injuries.