The Bengals today terminated the contract of WR Brandon Tate, releasing him to free agency.An eighth-year NFL player in 2016, Tate has played in every Bengals regular-season and postseason game since joining the team as a free agent in 2011. The University of North Carolina product is the franchise’s all-time leader in punt return yards (1411) and stands second in kickoff return yards (3517). His Bengals receiving totals are 57-for-901, with six touchdowns.“We have to make the decisions we feel are best for the team, but sometimes they are tough ones,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “Brandon has been a tremendous pro and a big part of the success our team has had the last five years. We wish him the very best.”Also today, the Bengals made the following moves to reach the NFL roster limit of 75:* Placed fifth-year DT Brandon Thompson on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Thompson is rehabbing from a knee injury suffered in last year’s regular-season finale. He will remain with the team for rehab and meetings, but may not practice for Weeks 1-6 of the regular season. Beginning the week following Week 6, he will begin a window of eligibility to return to practice under a roster exemption, if medically cleared.* Placed rookie DT Andrew Billings of Baylor on the Reserve/Injured list. Billings suffered a knee injury in practice on Aug. 10.* Released second-year WR Mario Alford under the Waived/Injured category. Alford suffered an ankle injury in the Aug. 12 Minnesota game. If Alford clears waivers tomorrow, he will revert to the Bengals’ Reserve/Injured list.Also today, the Club waived rookie K Jonathan Brown of Louisville from the Reserve/Injured list. Brown has completed rehab from a foot injury that caused him to be placed on R/I on May 26.
