Eric Winston returning to Cincy

Eric Winston is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals, the veteran offensive tackle tweeted Tuesday.

Excited to say I'm headed back to the Bengals! #whodey

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) March 10, 2015

Also, the Bengals are not offering defensive tackle Devon Still a tender Tuesday, but they did offer him a one-year deal for an amount less than the $1.54 million low-round tender he qualified for, a source said. Still, whose daughter, Leah, has been fighting stage 4 pediatric cancer over the past several months, is mulling the offer while he takes family matters into account, the source said.

The Bengals acquired Winston, who is the NFL Players Association president, late this past season when they had a need for a starting right tackle following Andre Smith's season-ending triceps tear at Houston in Week 12.

After getting cut by Seattle at the end of preseason camp, the 31-year-old Winston had a few tryouts with teams, but nothing materialized before the Bengals called in November.

Including the playoff game, the 31-year-old appeared in five games for Cincinnati. He started three of them, including the wild-card round loss at Indianapolis. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing six pressures but no sacks in his brief playing time.

Cincinnati was the fourth stop in Winston's nine-year career. He expressed interest earlier this offseason in returning to the Queen City, and playing again opposite his friend, left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Smith is expected to return fully from surgery before training camp.


(espn.com)