It’s uncommon for an NFL club to carry five quarterbacks in training camp, but circumstance has made Cincinnati an exception.
With rookie A.J. McCarron (shoulder) and veteran Jason Campbell (elbow) ailing, the Bengals added a fifth passer late last week, signing ex-Titan Tyler Wilson as depth behind Andy Dalton and Matt Scott.
On Wednesday, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis indicated Wilson would be able to play in Saturday’s exhibition vs. the Jets if needed, with Lewis noting the second-year quarterback had shown a grasp of the Bengals’ “terminology” thus far in practice.
“You’re sitting on the street, you learn fast, you know,” Lewis joked Wednesday.
A 2013 fourth-round pick of the Raiders, Wilson spent most of last season on Oakland’s practice squad before being waived in November. The Titans signed him in December before parting ways with him last week.
Wilson is most likely to play if Campbell is ruled out. Campbell did not practice on Wednesday, and there’s no need to rush him back in a preseason game unless he’s 100 percent. McCarron, the former Alabama standout, remains on the non-football injury list.
In Cincinnati, Wilson looks like a roster long shot, especially if McCarron returns to start taking reps. But Wilson has a place for now, and when the reserves are closing out Saturday night’s game, he could have a chance to put some plays on tape, which is about all he can ask for right now.
