SOBAY310
09-01-2009, 05:18 PM
Bengals lose Smith to fracture
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By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive (http://search.espn.go.com/john-clayton/)
Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin) first-round choice Andre Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12622) 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 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12563) of the 49ers is the only unsigned first-rounder.
Sources said 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.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN .com.
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By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive (http://search.espn.go.com/john-clayton/)
Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin) first-round choice Andre Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12622) 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 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12563) of the 49ers is the only unsigned first-rounder.
Sources said 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.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN .com.