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Bengals lose Smith to fracture
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: September 1, 2009, 6:51 PM ET
Cincinnati Bengals first-round choice Andre Smith just ended his holdout, but now he'll be sitting again.
The offensive lineman suffered a fracture in a foot during a non-contact drill Tuesday and it is not known how long he will be out, but he will miss the Bengals' opener on Sept. 13. Smith missed 30 days before agreeing to terms two days ago.
"Andre suffered a small fracture in his left foot during a non-contact drill," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "Our medical staff tells me the injury will not require surgery. It's too soon to closely predict how long it will be before he can return to practice, but it looks like he's going to miss a few weeks."
Smith is currently on a roster exemption granted by commissioner Roger Goodell because of his late arrival. The exemption lasts until next week.
Smith was the sixth pick in the NFL draft and the most recent to sign. Michael Crabtree of the 49ers is the only unsigned first-rounder.
Sources told ESPN.com's James Walker on Tuesday that the Bengals demanded that Smith have a weight clause in his contract. Smith, who is listed at 335 pounds, would lose a significant portion of his salary if his weight exceeded 350 pounds.
Smith, whose deal includes $21 million guaranteed and maxes out at six years and $42 million, was trying to claim the starting right tackle job.
Now, the Bengals will keep second-year lineman Anthony Collins at right tackle. Collins was a fourth-round draft pick last year and started six games at right tackle because of injuries.
The line has undergone an overhaul in the offseason. The Bengals made changes at center and at both tackle positions, hoping to upgrade an offense that finished last in the league in 2008.
The priority is protecting quarterback Carson Palmer, who was hit often last year. He broke his nose in the preseason, and tore a ligament and a tendon in his passing elbow during the regular season, forcing him to miss a dozen games.
Palmer suffered a moderate sprain in his left ankle during the first preseason game this year, and has missed the last two. He took snaps with the starting offense on Tuesday for the first time since he got hurt.
"He looked remarkably improved," Lewis said. "He looked pretty good. He was moving better."
Palmer would like to play in the final preseason game; Lewis will make a decision shortly before the start.
"We're going to play out what's best for Carson as we go forward," Lewis said. "It was good to see him get back and involved in the things we'll do today and tomorrow, and then when we start next week. The goal is to have him ready to go full-speed by Monday."
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN .com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: September 1, 2009, 6:51 PM ET
Cincinnati Bengals first-round choice Andre Smith just ended his holdout, but now he'll be sitting again.
The offensive lineman suffered a fracture in a foot during a non-contact drill Tuesday and it is not known how long he will be out, but he will miss the Bengals' opener on Sept. 13. Smith missed 30 days before agreeing to terms two days ago.
"Andre suffered a small fracture in his left foot during a non-contact drill," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "Our medical staff tells me the injury will not require surgery. It's too soon to closely predict how long it will be before he can return to practice, but it looks like he's going to miss a few weeks."
Smith is currently on a roster exemption granted by commissioner Roger Goodell because of his late arrival. The exemption lasts until next week.
Smith was the sixth pick in the NFL draft and the most recent to sign. Michael Crabtree of the 49ers is the only unsigned first-rounder.
Sources told ESPN.com's James Walker on Tuesday that the Bengals demanded that Smith have a weight clause in his contract. Smith, who is listed at 335 pounds, would lose a significant portion of his salary if his weight exceeded 350 pounds.
Smith, whose deal includes $21 million guaranteed and maxes out at six years and $42 million, was trying to claim the starting right tackle job.
Now, the Bengals will keep second-year lineman Anthony Collins at right tackle. Collins was a fourth-round draft pick last year and started six games at right tackle because of injuries.
The line has undergone an overhaul in the offseason. The Bengals made changes at center and at both tackle positions, hoping to upgrade an offense that finished last in the league in 2008.
The priority is protecting quarterback Carson Palmer, who was hit often last year. He broke his nose in the preseason, and tore a ligament and a tendon in his passing elbow during the regular season, forcing him to miss a dozen games.
Palmer suffered a moderate sprain in his left ankle during the first preseason game this year, and has missed the last two. He took snaps with the starting offense on Tuesday for the first time since he got hurt.
"He looked remarkably improved," Lewis said. "He looked pretty good. He was moving better."
Palmer would like to play in the final preseason game; Lewis will make a decision shortly before the start.
"We're going to play out what's best for Carson as we go forward," Lewis said. "It was good to see him get back and involved in the things we'll do today and tomorrow, and then when we start next week. The goal is to have him ready to go full-speed by Monday."
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN .com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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