Bengals News (9/2): Reunited once again

Bengals Establish Practice Squad
An NFL practice squad may include up to 10 players, though the Bengals may have up to 11 with TE Mortiz Böhringer, who is an International Player Pathway program participant and is eligible to be added as an 11th practice squad player. Thus, the Bengals currently have two open practice squad spots.

Perine, Mixon Reunited in Bengals Backfield During Roster Shuffle As PS Announced
The Bengals made some waiver-wire moves close to home Sunday as they zeroed in on finalizing their Opening Day roster claiming Washington running back Samaje Perine and former Rams and Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper.

Bengals Acquire Two Players On Waivers
The Bengals today acquired two players on waivers — WR Pharoh Cooper from the Arizona Cardinals and HB Samaje Perine from the Washington Redskins. To make room on the roster, the Bengals waived WR Josh Malone and LB Hardy Nickerson.

Cincinnati again serves as pivotal opportunity for Bengals' Zac Taylor
He was fresh off his lone season as the University of Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator, a year that resulted in four wins and a coaching change. The Taylors had their belongings shipped to Los Angeles, where Taylor was set to join the Rams’ staff as an assistant coach.

NFL waiver wire: Bengals reportedly attempted to add Wendell Smallwood
Not hard to see why. Smallwood is all of 25 years old and has 850 yards and five scores while averaging four yards per carry since joining the league via the fifth round in 2016. More importantly, he’s a strong pass-catching option out of the backfield who grabbed 28 catches last year.

Around the league

Elliott, Cowboys making progress on extension
"From what I'm told, Ezekiel Elliott's camp and the Cowboys negotiated all weekend trying to strike a deal that would eventually make him the highest-paid running back in football," Rapoport said. "I'm told there has been some progress there. They're not there yet. Certainly, there has been plenty of frayed nerves along the way, plenty of those. But both sides are trying to get this thing done before the season starts. Today obviously will be a huge, huge day, the start of the game week. And the Cowboys would like him in sooner rather than later."

Aaron Rodgers: Packs' offense will have 'room to grow'
With the excitement building towards the Packers-Bears opener being billed as a new offense versus one of the top defensive units in the NFL, Rodgers tapped the breaks a bit. The veteran quarterback underscored that the offense the Packers will employ Thursday night in the Windy City won't be the final version we see in 2019.

Brian Flores 'wouldn't disrespect the game' by tanking
"This game means a lot to me," he said, per Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. "I wouldn't disrespect the game with that. Again, no, we're not. We're going to try to win every game. I think that's disrespectful to even to say that. ... It's disheartening to hear people talk about it, to even say that. For a guy who respects the game as much as the game has done for me, when people say that, it's extremely sad."

Panthers release WR Torrey Smith after one season
After being traded from the Eagles last March in a move meant to add veteran leadership in Carolina's young receivers room, Smith, 30, posted career-lows in receptions (17) and receiving yards (190) and tied a career-low in touchdowns (2) in 2018. Smith also played the fewest games of his career (11) since being drafted in second round in 2011.

Chargers suspend RB Gordon talks until after season
Gordon will play this season -- if and when he reports -- on the fifth-year option unless the running back can find a trade partner. He's set to make $5.6 million this season.