BENGALS: Less than a month after the NFL reinstated Odell Thurman from his two-year suspension, the troubled linebacker is out of a job. The Cincinnati Bengals staunchly supported Thurman during his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse and conduct policies. When he didn’t show up for voluntary workouts that represented a chance to catch up, they decided they’ve had enough. Now, his road back to the NFL will have to go through some other team. Thurman failed to attend the team’s three voluntary on-field workouts last week, when he was in Georgia following the death of his grandmother. The Bengals are installing a new defense, and wanted him to practice.
TEXANS: Andre Johnson recently had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee that will keep him from practicing with Houston until training camp in July. Johnson injured his knee early last season and missed seven games with what the team called a knee sprain. He returned for the last seven games, but said he had a nagging pain in his knee when he ran. That pain led the team to operate on his knee Thursday to “clean it up.” Johnson rode a stationary bike Monday at the first day of 13 practices the Texans have scheduled before taking a break before training camp.
BILLS: Buffalo wide receiver Lee Evans confirmed the Bills have made him a contract offer that would prevent the five-year veteran from becoming a free agent following the 2008 season. Evans, Buffalo’s leading receiver the past two years, is in the final year of a five-year deal he signed after Buffalo selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2004 draft. Evans didn’t talk about any details of the offer.
DOLPHINS: Offensive lineman Steve McKinney, coming back from a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2007 season, signed a contract to join Miami. The 6-foot-4, 302-pound McKinney was a starter in each of his first eight NFL seasons, but after he allowed nine sacks in 2005 he became a part-time center for Houston. He tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in the Texans’ third game last year and missed the rest of the season.
SAINTS: Linebacker Dan Morgan retired two months after the frequently injured former first-round draft pick signed with New Orleans. Morgan, who signed with the Saints March 11, played seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He missed the final 13 games of 2007 with a partial tear of an Achilles’ tendon, and had at least five concussions in his career. Carolina drafted Morgan in 2001 out of the University of Miami. He recorded 452 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and five interceptions. He played in 59 games, all starts, and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2004.
Associated Press
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