In a move nearly as surprising as their acquisition of running back Larry Johnson, the Bengals have parted ways with veteran tight end Ben Utecht and veteran wideout Antonio Chatman.
Utecht, who was signed as a restricted free agent from the Colts in 2008, suffered a concussion during a training-camp scrimmage.
Also terminated is receiver Antonio Chatman, who landed on injured reserve in September due to an ankle injury suffered early in camp.
The players will be free to sign with other teams this year, but they will not be permitted to re-sign with the Bengals until 2010 at the earliest.
They'll also be able to pursue an injury grievance for the remainder of their 2009 salary. Failure to pass a physical with another team would be a key piece of evidence in this regard.
Bengals release Utecht, Chatman from injured reserve
Posted by Mike Florio on November 17, 2009 4:24 PM ET
Permalink
19 Comments
Latest stories in: Cincinnati Bengals, Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Top Stories
Utecht wasn't a blocker, bengals now have coffman to fill that role. Chatman hasn't produced since he was in green bay
Chatman was a bigger turd than Jerome Simpson. Completely worthless.
If both those guys are healthy and able to play now, it seems like Cincy did them a favor by letting them go. Now they have a chance to play. Otherwise i dont see the need to release them other than money, which is very possible with Mike Brown.
Can they play for ANOTHER team THIS season?
Crap! Utecht is good, just needed to get healthy
Utecht is a guy who has GREAT CHARACTER. I love that the Bengals are winning, but I like the influence Ben brings to the team way more than LJ!
Well I hope that this move speaks toward the development of TE Chase Coffman. Gosh I hope he starts getting in there soon!
Utecht is more brittle than Humpty Dumpty. Unfortunately, Coffman isn't ready. Apparently, he can't block worth a crap. And don't get me started on Chatman... I think Chad and TJ talked the coaches into signing him, because he has simply sucked for the Bengals.
Neither guy has been able to stay healthy for the last 2 years so there was no reason to keep either one. Utecht has talked about retiring (see Hard Knocks) due to past concussions and Chatman is aging and no longer a viable option at KR or PR (the only value he really had in a deep WR corp).
@ Westbasco:
Coffman is NOT a blocker. He was brought in for the passing game due to his size/speed and hands. He played mostly off the line in college.
Glad to be rid of chatman, maybe he is a hard worker and Helluva a guy, but he did nothing for us on the field.
Sucks about Utecht, guy produced in Indy but never here (hurt). No reason to cut him once he went on IR, won't save any $$ once he files and wins his injury grievance.
Irrelevant football transactions of the week.
Both gimps who gave us NOTHING, they will not be missed. Utecht was a good character, but ringing the bell at Salvation Army in December doesn't translate to busting heads in the Jungle.
Coffman can't get on the field and Utecht is not coming back. Looks like my hopes for a complete TE are done. Kelly might make it back but he is not a scary passing threat.
Where's your god now, Utecht? Maybe he should have spent more time conditioning and less time making awful music.
Utecht was always hurt in college, with the Colts and with the bengals. However, it's pretty frigging weak to release the guy after he gets completely knocked out in pre-season and screwed up because of a concussion, making it unlikely he could play this year anyway. This smells like a cheapsakate way to save some money by the tightwad owner.
Utecht won't be able to play and for all that we know, Utecht may be retiring since he got his 5th concussion of his career in Training Camp.
@Mongo
I was saying coffman was taking utecht's spot as the crap blocking, pass catching tight end on the team
@ Avon Barksdale
Wow....... that's some ignorant sh&t right there boy....
mixman you are so right,
Avon I am sure he will live a way better life with/without football than your hallow ass.