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The Cincinnati Bengals have released fullback Nikita Whitlock, according to a tweet by Aaron Wilson with the Baltimore Sun and the National Football Post.
Bengals cut Nikita Whitlock
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) August 30, 2014
Whitlock, a college free agent signed after the 2014 NFL draft, played 44 snaps in four preseason games. According to the grading system used by Pro Football Focus, Whitlock scored a +1.4 in run blocking and a +1.6 overall. Obviously, as a first-year rookie, Whitlock will have eligibility on the team's practice squad.
If you think that this bodes well for Orson Charles, think again. The Bengals also released Orson Charles on Saturday, per Pro Football Talk.
Bengals release TE/HB Orson Charles, per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 30, 2014
Charles, a former fourth-round pick from the 2012 NFL draft, played 31 of Cincinnati's 34 games over the past two years... primarily on special teams. He posted only nine receptions for 101 yards receiving (eight catches, 101 yards exclusively as a tight end in 2012).
Though it hasn't been announced, should we pop the champagne for Ryan Hewitt? Hewitt, an undrafted free agent that Cincinnati signed after the 2014 NFL draft, began his collegiate career at tight end with the Stanford but converted into a fullback.