Brandon

Ghee

The Bengals need reinforcements with Leon Hall out for the season after tearing his Achilles’ in Week 10. Ghee, the 94th pick in last year’s draft, has a starting-caliber size-speed combo but has never put it all together.

Ghee went down in Saturday’s practice and already had surgery, shelving him for “an extended period.” It’s a hard-luck injury for a corner who appeared to be coming on this camp after laboring through his first two NFL seasons. The Bengals are reeling with secondary injuries. Ghee and Dre Kirkpatrick (knee) are questionable for Week 1, and Shaun Prater (knee) is done for the year.

Ghee had a nice OTA season and start to training camp before dislocating his wrist and requiring surgery. The former third-round pick is beginning to run out of chances in Cincy. Sands was sidelined recently with an undisclosed injury.

The oft-injured cornerback is likely on his last chance with the Bengals. “I’m just anxious,” Ghee said. “I just want to play.” Ghee was turning heads last summer before landing on injured reserve in late August. He’ll have to stand out again in camp to have any real shot at a roster spot.

Ghee, 27 in June, appeared in ten games last season but played just 80 defensive snaps. He missed the entire 2012 season with a wrist injury. The former third-round pick will compete for a roster spot and play special teams.

Ghee played sparingly during his time with Tennessee, mostly seeing work on special teams. The 27-year-old played his first four seasons in Cincinnati, logging 17 tackles over 23 appearances. He’s a jack of all trades with experience at safety, corner and nickel back.

Anything sub-4.0 in the short shuttle is incredible, no matter the surface it’s run on. Ghee stood on his outstanding 4.45 forty time from the Combine. His athleticism-size combo is among the most impressive in this draft.

Ghee, who impressed at the Senior Bowl, ran the second-fastest forty time among all defensive backs Tuesday. He also fared well on the broad jump (10'7") while holding his own on the bench press (15 reps). Ghee is a borderline second- or third-round prospect.

Ghee takes the roster spot of SS Bernard Pollard (Achilles’, I.R.). The 27-year-old spent the summer with the Chargers before getting released at the end of camp. The former third-rounder will pitch in on special teams.

The last player left in the green room gets an escort from the commissioner. A three-year starter for the Demon Deacons, Ghee possesses outstanding size, speed, and athleticism. The Bengals are known for drafting Combine warriors with questionable production, and they’ve grabbed another here. Despite Ghee’s physical gifts, he had just one pick in college. His lack of ball skills and instincts could hold him back at the next level.