Bengals Release O. Thurman

A representative of Odell Thurman has told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Bengals have indicated they will release the linebacker.

"The support he got from the fans, from the people of Cincinnati, from Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown, this comes as a surprise," Safarrah Lawson told the newspaper.

Thurman recently was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after missing the last two seasons because of violations of the league's substance abuse policy.

UPDATE... (11:25 a.m.)

The Bengals have confirmed the move.

Lewis said in a written statement:

"The NFL provided Odell the opportunity to earn his way back onto our team, but we have not seen the right steps taken by him. With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, we've determined it's best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell."

According to the Enquirer, Thurman missed three voluntary practices by the Bengals last week after traveling to Monticello, Ga., for his grandmother's funeral. Thurman was raised by his grandmother, Lawson told the newspaper. Lawson said he was told by Lewis, the Bengals' coach, that the team was going in a different direction because it needed Thurman on hand and he wasn't there.

By Mark Maske |  May 19, 2008; 11:18 AM ET  | Category:  Bengals
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