Bengals teammates tried to distract Evan McPherson in practice Friday, but it didn't work, which is good news for more than just the kicker.

“Simmons says wider receiver Charlie Jones (their top punt returner) and Jermaine Burton are going to see time as a kick-return tandem. In the second year of the new kickoff rule, Simmons is looking for sure handers. He anticipates opposing kickers to spray the ball more to force returns and take fewer touchbacks.”

The Bengals announced in March that they signed Lucas Patrick as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year deal.

CINCINNATI — Bengals first round pick Shemar Stewart is unsigned and is holding out of training camp. The 17th overall pick is the only first rounder that hasn't signed his rookie contract. Stewart, who remains in Texas and is training at his alma mater, reached out to a teammate before the Bengals' first training camp practice on Wednesday.

Stewart agreed to sign the four-year, $18.97 million deal after Cincinnati changed the language a controversial clause.

It isn’t all bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals as the team reports to training camp. While contract extension drama makes the big splashes, the Bengals at least got some good news on the injury front as players got in the building, too.

CINCINNATI – Just two days in, the dog days of training camp have arrived for the Cincinnati Bengals.