Bengals safety Chris Crocker was called for pass interference against the Steelers last season. (US Presswire) |
The Bengals re-signed safety Chris Crocker on Thursday as they search for answers to a defense that is ranked 29th in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed through the first three games of the season.
Crocker, 32, played the last 3½ seasons with the Bengals but was released in March. He started 45 of 47 games he played in for Cincinnati, including all 16 regular-season games and the wild card playoff game at Houston last season. He had 74 tackles to go with 3.5 sacks and one interception last season but it was his play in the 31-10 playoff loss against the Texans that stood out.
Crocker dropped a potential interception with no one around him in the third quarter and the Bengals trailing 17-10. Houston scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson two plays later. Crocker also missed a tackle on a 42-yard touchdown run by Arian Foster in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t think about it a lot but obviously it was my last game and I wasn’t too pleased with how I played,” Crocker said. “It wasn’t my best game but I haven’t dwelled on it. You just move forward.”
Crocker played most of the season with a knee injury that required offseason surgery. He said he is healthy and expects to play in some role this Sunday at Jacksonville.
The Cincinnati secondary played without cornerback Leon Hall last Sunday at Washington and has been without first-round draft choice Dre Kirkpatrick all season due to a knee injury. Nate Clements, who has played both cornerback and safety this season, did not practice on Wednesday due to a calf ailment and was seen wearing a protective boot.
Taylor Mays, Jeromy Miles and Clements have each started one game at strong safety this season. Crocker might not start against the Jaguars but his experience with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s schemes should be helpful even on the sideline.
“I think it’s a good add to the team. It’s a great add,” said cornerback Adam Jones. “He’s smart, he knows the defense in and out. He makes the game a lot easier for me. He did last year as well.”
Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSBengals. Kevin Goheen contributed to this report.