The Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday announced they've released former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, which should cement AJ McCarron's role as backup to Andy Dalton.
McCarron, the Mobile native who led Alabama to national championships in 2011 and 2012, was a fifth-round draft choice of the Bengals in 2014 and missed all of last season while he recovered from a shoulder injury.
Last season's backup, former Auburn standout Jason Campbell, wasn't re-signed and is expected to retire, leaving McCarron, Pryor and journeyman Josh Johnson battling for the backup job.