| | Associated Press
CINCINNATI -- Ki-Jana Carter, whose NFL career was ill-fated
from the start, was released Thursday by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The former Penn State running back was the No. 1 overall pick in
the 1995 draft but missed that entire season when he tore an
anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the preseason.
He played only one game in 1998 after severely fracturing his
wrist in the season opener.
He was sidelined in 1999 when he dislocated his right kneecap in
the third game.
"Ki-Jana came into the NFL with tremendous ability, but his
injuries took away his chance to reach his potential," Bengals
president Mike Brown said.
"I respect him a great deal for the way he kept battling with a
positive attitude through a lot of adversity. We sincerely wish his
association with our team could have had a more positive outcome."
Carter played in just 35 games in five years and rushed for 747
yards on 227 carries with 16 touchdowns. He also had 52 catches for
375 yards and one touchdown.
Carter started 14 games for the Bengals, first losing the
starting job to Garrison Hearst and then to Corey Dillon, who has
had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
In January, Carter dislocated his kneecap again in a private
workout. Team doctors examined the knee Wednesday and said it would
be six to eight weeks -- nearly the start of the preseason -- before
Carter could return to practice.
"It's a shame. I love Ki-Jana. He's a great kid," coach Bruce
Coslet said. "But his problem is durability. After hearing the
reports from our doctors and the uncertainty of it, we have to go
with other guys."
Still, the Bengals probably would not have released Carter at
this time -- and taken a double hit -- if they had been able to waive
dissident wide receiver Carl Pickens. But the Bengals could not get
definitive word by the 4 p.m. deadline on the status of the NFL
Players Association's grievance over the franchise player
designation assigned to Pickens.
"I understand they that they have to do what they have to do,"
Carter said Wednesday, anticipating the move. "I'm just trying to
get my knee ready for the season." | |
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