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It appears Christian Westerman’s time with the Cincinnati Bengals is coming to an end.
On Friday, the team placed Westerman on the Exempt/Left Squad list. Ian Rapoport adds that Westerman plans to retire.
The #Bengals lost another O-lineman to retirement: Christian Westerman was placed on the Exempt/Left Squad, per the wire. He’s made his decision.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2019
This comes following a report of Westerman considering retirement prior to the team’s 23-13 win at Washington. He did not play in the game due to what the team called “personal reasons.”
Westerman, a fourth-year player, originally was a fifth-round draft pick of the Bengals in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has played in 16 career games with two starts. He has flashed potential throughout his career thus far, though he was never given a real chance to start for whatever reason.
However, Westerman was losing ground in the recent battle for the left guard spot, a competition that includes Trey Hopkins, John Jerry and Michael Jordan.
Even so, Westerman could have made the team as a solid backup who could get a chance to start down the line if the starter struggles.