The other player to earn a top-five grade at his position was defensive end Margus Hunt, who ranks fourth among defensive ends who play in a 4-3 scheme.
PFF lists Hunt with seven pressures on his 50 pass rushes, and he has three run stops on 24 run snaps, including one the website lists as his signature play of the preseason — a 4-yard tackle for loss against the Jets when Hunt slipped inside the right tackle and dropped New York running back Alex Green.
Roster cuts: Cincinnati native J.K. Schaffer and 2014 seventh-round draft pick LaVelle Westbrooks were among the cuts the Cincinnati Bengals made Tuesday to get to the roster limit of 75.
Also released Tuesday were tight Kevin Brock, wide receiver Jasper Collins, quarterback Matt Scott and linebacker James Davidson, and on Monday the Bengals waived wide receiver Ryan Whalen, defensive tackle Larry Black, safety Isaiah Lewis and kicker Quinn Sharp.
Schaffer was the biggest name among the most recent cuts. The La Salle High School and Univeristy of Cincinnati graduate appeared in nine games for the Bengals last year, but he suffered two concussions in the preseason.
Schaffer and Westbrooks (thumb) were released under the waived/injured designation, which means if they clear waivers they will be placed on injured reserve, enabling them to continue their rehab at team facilities with team personnel.
The Bengals, who play Indianapolis in their preseason finale Thursday night, have until 4 p.m. Saturday to announce their final 53-man roster.
Injury update: Linebacker Vontaze Burfict (hamstring) and cornerback Darqueze Dennard (hip) were among a large group of players not practicing Tuesday, although Burfict was working on the side field and said he will be ready for the Sept. 7 opener in Baltimore.
Guard Trey Hopkins (shin), wide receiver James Wright (head) and running back Cedric Peerman (undisclosed) left Sunday’s game in Arizona with injuries and were not at practice, but offensive lineman T.J. Johnson was back to work after leaving the Cardinals game on a cart with an undisclosed injury.
Cornerback Adam Jones and tight end Jermaine Gresham appeared to be taking rest days. Also not working were running backs Rex Burkhead (knee) and BenJarvus Green-Elllis (hip) and defensive tackle Devon Still (hamstring).
Quarterback Tyler Wilson practiced for the first time since suffering a head injury Aug. 16 against the Jets.
About the Author