:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46437114/GettyImages-151066319.0.jpg)
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end (and/or linebacker) Dontay Moch signed with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. Moch, a former third-round pick from the 2011 NFL draft, has faced debilitating health issues since his arrival into the NFL.
A preseason foot injury impacted his rookie season, as did migraines which forced him to remain inactive all season. Moch led the Bengals in quarterback sacks during the preseason in 2012, but was slapped with a four-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy during the first four weeks of the season.
Moch finally made his NFL debut on Oct. 14, 2012 but was placed on the season-ending Reserve/Non-Football Illness list within a month. After a stint with the Arizona Cardinals, Moch returned to the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason in 2014 and eventually latched onto the Tennessee Titans... who released him two weeks ago. After four seasons with three teams, Moch has played eight games, generated seven tackles, a quarterback sack and a pass defensed.
In other Bengals 2011 NFL draft news, on Saturday, the CFL's Ottawa RedBlacks signed kicker Anthony Alix and released former sixth-round cornerback Korey Lindsey, who was signed on May 15, 2015. Lindsey had also made stops in Arizona, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Washington and New Orleans over the years.
Lindsey and Moch belong to the Bengals 2011 draft class with wide receiver A.J. Green, quarterback Andy Dalton, and offensive guard Clint Boling -- the latter two have already signed their second contracts while Green will receive the biggest base salary this season on a fifth-year option.
Also in that class are safety Robert Sands, wide receiver Ryan Whalen and running back Jay Finley... all of whom are out of the NFL.
The New York Times featured a story on Sands, who was charged with domestic violence in 2013, and how the Bengals tried to help the couple work through their problems. The story also alleges that the Bengals wanted the Sands to reach out to the organization, rather than the police. An allegation that the Bengals denied:
"Neither the club nor Coach Lewis advised the Sands not to talk to law enforcement; instead, the club encouraged them to work on their problems and to utilize counseling to improve their relationship," the statement said. "Unfortunately, the Sands did not take full advantage of the services available to them, and they missed various counseling sessions.
Finley, who was released during final cuts in 2011, made an appearance on the Seahawks' practice squad that December. Whalen, after being released in Aug. 2014, hasn't caught on with another team since.