Bengals tackle Andre Smith will have plenty of time to talk to the folks from NFL Films and HBO, at least for now. The veteran lineman, a first-rounder who became a free agent after only four seasons but who found no takers at his desired price tag before returning to Cincinnati, starts the year on the non-football injury list with a calf injury.
The Bengals announced the development amid a flurry of pre-camp moves, including the placement of receiver Tyrone Goard (finger), fullback Chris Pressley (knee), quarterback Zac Robinson elbow), and running back Bernard Scott (knee) on the physically unable to perform list.
Joining Smith on the active/NFI list is running back Cedric Peerman (ankle). Long snapper Bryce Davis is on the NFI list with an illness.
Any of these players can be shifted to the active roster at any time.
For Smith, his inability to practice is the latest disappointment from a guy who had turned around a lackluster early career. Smith didn’t participate in offseason workouts and skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp for personal reasons. Coach Marvin Lewis said Smith would be fined.