CINCINNATI -- The Bengals released veteran defensive end Michael Johnson, the team announced on Saturday.
As they cut down to the 53-man roster limit, the Bengals also placed quarterback Matt Barkley on injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered in the finale preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Johnson, 31, has been a mainstay on the Bengals' defense since he was taken in the third round of the 2009 draft. Johnson left the Bengals for one season to sign a five-year, $43.75 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014.