The Bengals shored up their training camp numbers along the defensive front Monday when they signed one of the players that weren't selected in the supplemental draft in Virginia-Lynchburg defensive tackle Lakendrick Ross.
With players set to report Wednesday for Thursday's first practice of training camp, the Bengals also released their roll call of injured players, a list that figures to change as soon as Wednesday when several are expected to be cleared after they take the conditioning test.
For instance, the two most high-profile rehab cases, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins (ACL) and cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) are both listed on the active/physically unable to perform list but they are expected to be cleared at some point in training camp.
Also on the list but expected to be ready soon are punter Kevin Huber (neck), and left guard Clint Boling (ACL).
Rounding out the list are veteran wide receiver Ryan Whalen (hamstring), rookie free-agent receiver Colin Locket (hamstring) and rookie linebacker Marquis Flowers (hamstring).
Atkins is one of three defensive tackles that are on the list along with Devon Still (back) and rookie free agent Zach Minter (back), hence the signing of Ross and the release of rookie free-agent receiver Alex Neutz to make room on the 90-man roster. Listed on active/non-football injury with injuries not received with the team are wide receiver Marvin Jones (ankle) and rookie quarterback AJ McCarron (shoulder), as well as cornerback Onterio McCalebb (knee). Indications are Jones' injury is a tweak and the move is precautionary. McCarron is apparently still being heavily scrutinized after missing the first portion of the spring workouts with shoulder tightness.
Not on either list were tight end Jermaine Gresham (unknown), Tyler Eifert (shoulder) and center Mike Pollak (knee), guys that virtually missed all of the spring. Their physicals weren't completed late Monday and their statuses were expected Tuesday.
The 6-4, 350-pound Ross has played little football after playing at Lynchburg for just one season in 2012 because of lack of grades and just one season in high school. But the Bengals figure it's a chance to take a look at a guy with rare NFL size.
Ross is a virtual blank slate after being named Defensive Player of the Year in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, a league of small colleges, junior colleges, and community colleges. He reportedly weighed in at his pro day at 366 pounds and is supposed to have remarkable speed for a man his size. One report from his pro day had him at a 1.81-second unofficial 10-yard split to go with his wing span of 83.5 inches.
