In a move that seemed to take everybody by surprise Sunday, rookie kicker Jake Elliott went unclaimed and now sits on the Bengals practice squad.
Both Elliott and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons thought the loser of the kicking derby between Elliott, a fifth-rounder out of Memphis, and the veteran Randy Bullock would end up on an Opening Day roster.
The other fifth-round pick, Utah guard-center J.J. Dielman, did get claimed and is headed to the Rams. Undrafted Michigan State safety Demetrious Cox also got claimed by Carolina.
They may have been ticketed to the practice squad, which is two players shy of the maximum of ten.