Bengals keep Washington, 8 backers By GEOFF HOBSON
September 2, 2006

2:15 p.m.

The Bengals ended their best preseason in history Saturday by delaying some of their toughest roster decisions for at least six more weeks when they put running back Chris Perry (ankle) and defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) in the final roster cut.

The synopsis: They kept just two tight ends, wide receiver Kelley Washington, an extra linebacker, no college free agents, every draft pick but Reggie McNeal, and added only 15 new players from last season’s Opening Day depth chart as the Marvin Lewis upheaval fades into Marvin Lewis stability.

The Bengals can still tweak the roster by picking up other players that have to be released by 4 p.m. Saturday and they have until Monday to form a practice squad of eight players in the hope they clear waivers over the next 24 hours or so.

All released players except tight end Darnell Sanders are eligible to be signed to the squad.

The Bengals placed rookie wide receiver Bennie Brazell (knee) on season-ending injured reserve, as well as second-year cornerback Patrick Body and college free agent Marcus Lewis (foot), a defensive tackle from Urbana.

Also placed on PUP has been second-year left tackle Adam Kieft (knee).

PUP players are eligible to return to practice under a roster exemption. Upon returning to practice, they may work during a 21-day period, the end of which serves as a deadline for their non-exempt roster status to be determined.

Here is the list of released players:

Sanders, McNeal, WR P.K. Sam, TE Ronnie Ghent, OT Pete Lougheed, G Kyle Takavitz, C Ben Wilkerson, S John Busing, HB DeDe Dorsey, DE Eric Henderson, WR Glenn Holt, TE David Jones, G Nate Livings, FB Chris Manderino and FB Naufahu Tahi.

Here is a look at the 53-man roster with the years of experience:

OFFENSE:

QUARTERBACKS (3): Carson Palmer (4), Anthony Wright (8), Doug Johnson (6).

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): C Rich Braham (13), RT Willie Anderson (11), RG Bobbie Williams ((7), LT Levi Jones (5), LG Eric Steinbach (4), RG-T Stacy Andrews (3), LG-T C Eric Ghiaciuc (2), G-T Scott Kooistra (4) LG-T Andrew Whitworth (R).

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Chad Johnson (6), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (6), Chris Henry (2), Tab Perry (2), Kelley Washington (4), Antonio Chatman (4).

RUNNING BACKS (4): Rudi Johnson (6), Kenny Watson (5), Quincy Wilson (1), FB Jeremi Johnson (4).

TIGHT ENDS (2): Reggie Kelly (8), Tony Stewart (6).

DEFENSE:

DEFENSIVE LINE (8): T John Thornton (8), T Sam Adams (13), T Shaun Smith (3), T Domata Peko (R), E Justin Smith (6), E-T Bryan Robinson (10), E Robert Geathers (3), E-T Frostee Rucker (R).

LINEBACKERS (8): MLB Brian Simmons (9), SLB David Pollack (2), WLB Landon Johnson (3), WLB Caleb Miller (3), WLB Marcus Wilkins (5), SLB Rashad Jeanty (R), MLB A.J. Nicholson (R), MLB Ahmad Brooks (R).

SECONDARY (10): CB Tory James (11), CB Deltha O’Neal (7), CB Johnathan Joseph (R), CB Keiwan Ratliff (3), CB Greg Brooks (3), SS Dexter Jackson (8), FS Madieu Williams (3), CB-S Kevin Kaesviharn (6), S Herana-Daze Jones (1), S Ethan Kilmer (R)

SPECIALISTS (3): LS Brad St. Louis (7), K Shyane Graham (6), P Kyle Larson (3).