When the Bengals drafted middle linebacker, it seemed for a while that the Browns AFC North rival had found a steal. Today, we learned more about why background checks matter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; MON., MAY 19, 2008
FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS
BENGALS RELEASE ODELL THURMAN
The Bengals today released LB Odell Thurman, second-year player from Georgia.
Thurman was not on the Bengals roster in 2006 or 2007, due to an NFL suspension for violations of the league's Substance Abuse Policy. He was reinstated to the Bengals roster by the league this past April 21.
"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," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said today. "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."