Bengals and Eric Winston mutually interested in another season

The Cincinnati Bengals and Eric Winston are mutually interested in continuing their relationship for another season, the right tackle said via Bengals.com. And, he's fine with being a backup to starting offensive tackle Andre Smith.

"It’s the circle of life in the NFL. You come in as a backup, you earn a starting spot, you go out as a backup a lot of times," Winston said via the mothership. "There’s interest on both sides. I don’t want to qualify their interest too much more than that. I think they’re definitely interested in it. I'm definitely interested in it and hopefully we’ll get something done.

Smith suffered a torn tricep against the Houston Texans and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Nov. 25. His replacement, Marshall Newhouse, struggled earlier in the season when Andre Smith was recuperating from an ankle injury. Newhouse's struggled so much that Cincinnati moved offensive guard Clint Boling to right tackle.

When Smith suffered a season-ending injury, the Bengals eventually signed Eric Winston on Dec. 2 and had him start the final three games at right tackle (including the postseason loss against the Indianapolis Colts).


(cincyjungle.com)