Roddrick

Muckelroy

Muckelroy will be limited if he takes the field nine months after surgery. The 2011 fourth-rounder will vie for a backup/special teams job in training camp.

Shipley was cleared for full participation earlier this month, but Muckelroy is believed to be limited. Sims tore ankle ligaments last December. Shipley is already penciled in as the Bengals’ slot receiver, but would do well to have a strong and productive preseason after missing all but two games in 2011.

Reporter Geoff Hobson expects the fight to be a “camp highlight.” Per Hobson, Burfict impressed the coaching staff in OTAs by quickly figuring out the playbook and where to line up. For a player riddled with questions about his discipline (among other things), Burfict is off to a good start in his long-shot quest to crack Cincinnati’s 53.

Coach Marvin Lewis explained that Muckelroy was outplayed by undrafted rookie Vontaze Burfict on defense and special teams.

Muckelroy will take the roster spot of rookie ILB Keenan Robinson, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral Monday. Muckelroy appeared in five games for the Bengals earlier this season, notching one tackle. He’ll be a special teamer in Washington.

A fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, Muckelroy managed one tackle in five games, mostly playing special teams. He doesn’t have practice squad eligibility.

Muckelroy was released in final cuts after being outplayed by undrafted rookie Vontaze Burfict in August. He’ll add depth at linebacker and special teams, allowing Dan Skuta to replace Thomas Howard as the weak-side starter.

The leading tackler for an ’09 Longhorns defense that has already produced three NFL draft picks (Earl Thomas, Sergio Kindle, Lamarr Houston), Muckelroy was forced to play out of position at middle linebacker following a season-ending injury to MLB Jared Norton. Though a natural weak-sider at 6'2/236, Muckelroy did not disappoint with 11 tackles for loss and six pass breakups. He’ll push Brandon Johnson for the Bengals’ No. 4 linebacker role right out of the gate.

An awful break for the 2010 fourth-round pick, who was setup for an increased role with Dhani Jones not expected back. Muckelroy is done for the season, so perhaps the Bengals will give Jones another call. Another -- probably better -- option would be to re-sign versatile fellow free agent Brandon Johnson.