The Bengals have placed support behind linebacker Brandon Joiner after the undrafted rookie was sentenced to three years in prison. "Though it is unlikely he will have any chance to play this season, his contract extends beyond 2012, and the club is choosing to retain his NFL rights at this time," the Bengals said in a statement.

The Bengals have signed former Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler to a four-year deal. Cincinnati had already signed Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, the 17th overall pick. They got that selection by trading quarterback Carson Palmer to the Raiders last season.

Bengals undrafted rookie Brandon Joiner was sentenced to three years in prison on charges stemming from a 2007 incident that occurred when he was playing at Texas A&M. Joiner, a linebacker who is still listed on Cincinnati's website as being on the roster, was indicted for two counts of aggravated robbery and one charge of felony drug possession in January 2008.

The Bengals have signed cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama to a four-year, $8.6 million max deal. Kirkpatrick was the first of Cincinnati's two picks in the opening round, going 17th overall. He's expected to compete for a starting job.

Jacob Bell surprised many this week when he walked away from the NFL just one month after signing a free-agent contract with the Bengals. Bell, in an appearance on ESPN's "Outside The Lines" on Wednesday, said he has gotten support from fellow players for making the decision to walk away with his health intact. "A lot have said -- the No. 1 thing people have said to me is, 'Your health is more important than the game. Your health is more important than the money.' "

A dispute between linebacker Keith Rivers and the Bengals about the timing of the defender's wrist surgery reportedly simmered throughout last season and led to him filing a grievance against the team. Cincinnati was unhappy that Rivers elected to have surgery at the end of the lockout rather than earlier in the offseason. Rivers was put on the non-football injury list, but he wanted to be placed on the physically unable to perform list so he could still receive his salary. He responded by filing a grievance against the team. In the offseason, the Bengals traded Rivers to the Giants for a fifth-round draft pick, which they used to take Boise State safety George Iloka.