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Bengals Release Ex-Buc Jackson

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The Associated Press

Published: March 7, 2009

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Bengals released safety Dexter Jackson, an 11-year veteran who missed most of last season with injuries.

Jackson, a former Buc, played the past three seasons for the Bengals, starting 28 games. A thumb injury forced him to miss most of the first half of last season, and he was placed on injured reserve for the second half after hurting his hamstring in practice.

Jackson ended up playing only three games last season.

The Bengals also cut three first-year players Friday who were members of their practice squad for part of last season: guard James Blair, cornerback Marcus Brown and defensive end Victor DeGrate.

BENGALS: Cincinnati signed quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan to back up injured quarterback Carson Palmer.

The Bengals didn't release terms of the contract. They are counting on Palmer's return from an elbow injury last season, but needed a backup after Ryan Fitzpatrick left for Buffalo as a free agent.

EAGLES: Safety Sean Jones signed a one-year, free-agent contract Friday, helping fill the void created by Brian Dawkins' departure.

A second-round pick by Cleveland in 2004, Jones played five seasons with the Browns. He was mostly used as a strong safety, but his playmaking skills make him a potential replacement for Dawkins at free safety. Jones may have to beat out second-year pro Quintin Demps for the spot.

"I played strong or free safety in Cleveland," Jones said. "I'm interchangeable, so either way it doesn't really matter."

TITANS: Tennessee agreed to a contract with punter Craig Hentrich, who will return for his 16th NFL season this year. Terms of the deal announced Friday were not disclosed.

Hentrich, an unrestricted free agent, had considered retiring after last season.

PRO BOWL: The Pro Bowl is returning to Hawaii.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority board voted 9-1 Friday to accept the NFL's offer to return to the islands.

The board rejected two previous proposals, but under mounting pressure reconsidered its latest refusal to pay the NFL $4 million a year to host the all-star game at Aloha Stadium in 2011 and 2012.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with the state of Hawaii, which has embraced the Pro Bowl for 30 years," Frank Supovitz, the NFL's senior vice president of events, said in a statement.

The 2010 Pro Bowl will be played in Miami a week before the Super Bowl after a 30-year run in Hawaii in which every game was a sellout.

Supovitz said placing the Pro Bowl in the islands on a rotational basis will maintain its ties to Hawaii while making it more accessible to fans on the mainland.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona testified in favor of returning the Pro Bowl, saying "Hawaii is the Pro Bowl."

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