In 2010, Jordan Shipley completed a rookie season with the Bengals where he led all AFC rookies in receiving yards (600). He had 52 receptions and three touchdowns. The third-round pick out of Texas appeared on the verge of a promising career as a slot receiver. He was one of the brightest spots in a dark season and became a fan favorite.
During the second game of 2011, Shipley suffered an ACL tear. As Cincinnati added receiver depth this offseason in the draft and saw the ascension of Armon Binns and Brandon Tate on the outside, the need for Shipley to recover quickly was of the utmost importance. His knee never responded in training camp. He passed the physical, but clearly that wasn't the only hurdle. He knew what he wanted the knee to do and what he's used to it being able to do. It wasn't happening.
The Bengals decided to let Shipley go Friday since it was evident he wouldn't recover in time for the year.
Where do the Bengals go from here? The projected six receivers spots appear to be clear. Andrew Hawkins grabbed the starting slot receiver spot and rookie Mohamed Sanu learned the position as a backup. That leaves the likely six as A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Tate, Binns, Hawkins and Sanu.
Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLCIN.
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