Bengals send Dre Kirkpatrick to IR, call up two from practice squad

The Bengals sent Dre Kirkpatrick to IR and called up two players.

Dre Kirkpatrick is the latest member of the Cincinnati Bengals to head for injured reserve.

Head coach Zac Taylor announced the move Friday. In a corresponding move, the Bengals promoted linebacker Hardy Nickerson and wideout Damion Willis from the practice squad.

Kirkpatrick went down in mid-October with a knee injury and needed a cart to leave the field. Since he isn’t close to returning the team will shut him down and use the spot to get help elsewhere.

Nickerson’s promotion is a response to cutting Preston Brown earlier in the week, though the command at linebacker still seems to fall on rookie Germaine Pratt.

Willis was a surprise undrafted starter to begin the season but quickly fell out of favor for Auden Tate. He’ll perhaps get another chance to show what he’s got if Alex Erickson can’t go.

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