Bengals cut safety Iloka

The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran safety George Iloka on Sunday, clearing the way for rookie Jessie Bates III to move into a starting role.

Iloka had been sharing time during preseason games with Bates, a second-round pick out of Wake Forest who was given a chance to win the job at the outset.

Iloka made 76 starts for the Bengals in the last six seasons. He had nine career interceptions in Cincinnati, but only one last season. He was released a day after the Bengals beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-13 in an exhibition game. from training camp and missing the first two exhibition games to work on his mental health and sobriety. The former Pro Bowler appeared to be in a good mood — and in excellent shape — as he stayed to the side and worked with trainers on his conditioning.

Gordon, who has missed most of the past four seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, has not been cleared to practice. He may attend meetings and practices but is prohibited from being on the field. No timetable has been set for his return. against the Bengals on Saturday night. Martin is the highest-paid guard in the NFL after signing a six-year, $84 million extension with $40 million guaranteed during the offseason.

Buffalo Bills quarterback AJ McCarron will get a second opinion on the severity of the injury to his throwing shoulder, and veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams is in jeopardy of missing the start of the regular season with a knee injury. Both were hurt in the first half of a 19-17 preseason victory at Cleveland. … The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a contract that could be worth up to $1.5 million, filling an area of need after an offseason overhaul of the secondary. The longtime Cowboys cornerback signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Washington Redskins in March, but he was released on Tuesday.