CINCINNATI — Offensive tackle Willie Anderson and running back Rudi Johnson lost their starting jobs with the Bengals during training camp. Now, they have lost their roster spots, too.
The Bengals released Anderson and Johnson on Saturday as part of their moves to get to the 53-man roster limit. Former Broncos cornerback Deltha O’Neal, who also had lost his starting job, was among the players released.
The 33-year-old Anderson was the most tenured Bengal, having played 12 seasons in Cincinnati. Injuries limited him to seven games last season. Johnson ran for a club- record 1,458 yards in 2005. Hamstring problems limited him to nine starts and a 2.9- yard average last season.
In other moves:
• Atlanta released quarterback Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Lions and a starter in 10 games for the Falcons last season.
• The Giants signed 44- year-old John Carney while Lawrence Tynes recovers from a knee injury, meaning they will have two kickers on the roster.
• San Francisco released underachieving receiver Ashley Lelie, who was going into the second year of a two-year, $4.3 million deal that included a $2 million signing bonus. The former Bronco had 10 receptions for 115 yards last season while struggling with injuries.
• Caleb Hanie, an undrafted rookie free-agent quarterback from Colorado State, capped a strong preseason by earning a spot on the Bears’ roster.
• Pittsburgh placed backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who broke his collarbone in the exhibition opener, on season-ending injured reserve.
• Tennessee cut Roydell Williams, the Titans’ co-leader in receptions last year (55), after he struggled to recover from breaking an ankle days before a playoff game in January.
• AFC champion New England released quarterback Matt Gutierrez and kept Matt Cassel as Tom Brady’s backup for a fourth season. The team also released former Colorado tight end Tyson DeVree.
• Philadelphia released defensive end Jerome McDougle, a one-time first-rounder plagued by injuries on and off the field. The Eagles also released veteran defensive tackle Montae Reagor.
• Baltimore cut former Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet, signed last week as insurance when Troy Smith was ill and Kyle Boller injured.
• Houston placed former Colorado running back Chris Brown on injured reserve with back problems.
• The Buccaneers released former starting quarterback Chris Simms, who has not played in a regular-season game in nearly two years.
• Minnesota placed safety Michael Boulware on injured reserve.
Martin suspended.
Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin, a 23-year-old from Thomas Jefferson High School, was suspended for the team’s season opener and fined an additional game check for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
• Also suspended for their openers for violating the policy were Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, Jets running back Jesse Chatman and Seahawks nickel back Jordan Babineaux.
• Cornerback Ricardo Colclough was released by the Panthers after he was arrested and charged with driving while impaired.
• Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in Miami Beach.
The Associated Press
