Bengals sign rookie WR Eric Ward to the practice squad

The Cincinnati Bengals signed rookie wide receiver Eric Ward to their practice squad on Saturday, the team announced.

Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton was promoted to the team's 53-man roster, replacing Dane Sanzenbacher, who was placed on season-ending Injured reserve with a concussion on Wednesday. Ward, a five-foot-11 rookie out of Texas Tech, entered the NFL as a college free agent with the Tennessee Titans following the 2014 NFL draft.

It didn't last very long.

Ward was injured/waived by the Titans on May 20, following a back injury that he suffered during off-season workouts. He reverted to the Titans Reserve/Injured list on May 21 and was waived Sept. 2, following completion of rehab.

During his final three seasons with Texas Tech, Ward averaged 83 receptions for 833 yards receiving and 31 receiving touchdowns. Named to the second-team All-Big 12 Conference team during his senior season in 2013, Ward elected to stay in school after the 2012 season to boost his stock and to earned his Master's degree in human development and family studies.