Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals Add Depth to Defensive Line

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Early Thursday afternoon, the Bengals (3-4-1) signed a veteran defensive lineman that is familiar with Paul Guenther’s system.

The Cincinnati Bengals are making moves during the bye week. Earlier today, the team announced the signing of defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry. The nine-year veteran spent four seasons with Cincinnati from 2012-’15.

Gilberry moved north during the offseason, signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions. After playing in four games, Gilberry was released on Oct. 11th due to an abdominal injury.

A few days after working out Gilberry and a few other veterans, the Bengals brought the 31-year-old back to the Queen City.

An undrafted d-lineman from Alabama, Gilberry started his NFL career with Kansas City. After four years in Arrowhead, the Bengals first signed Gilberry in September of 2012.

In four years in stripes, Gilberry totaled 17.5 sacks, with his best season coming in 2012 when he had 6.5 sacks and recovered three fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.

The move hopes to bring more to a pass rush that has struggled this season. Will Clarke, Carlos Dunlap, and Geno Atkins have combined for 11.5 of the team’s 16 sacks through eight games.

The Bengals’ defense ranks 28th in the NFL, its worst position in over a decade. Paul Guenther has to hope the recall of someone who knows the system can help spring his unit back to 2015 form when it was the AFC’s best scoring defense.

The team also announced Thursday the waiving of corner Chris Lewis-Harris.