CINCINNATI, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Michael Westbrook, a former first-round draft pick, was waived Wednesday by the Cincinnati Bengals, who have the worst record in the NFL.
A wide receiver in his eighth season, Westbrook had just eight catches for 94 yards, placing him ninth on the Bengals in receiving. He played in nine of the team's 11 games, starting four.
It is just more bad news in a lost season for the Bengals, who are 1-10, with their only win coming over the expansion Houston Texans.
The receiver of the "Hail Mary" pass thrown by Colorado's Kordell Stewart to beat Michigan in 1994, Westbrook was selected fourth overall in the 1995 draft by the Washington Redskins.
However, he never lived up to expectations, playing 16 games just twice in seven years with the Redskins and compiling 277 catches for 4,280 yards and 24 touchdowns. His best year was 1999, when he had 65 receptions for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs.
During his stay in Washington, Westbrook suffered multiple knee injuries and a neck injury that required the fusing of two vertebrae. He also was involved in an ugly fight with teammate Stephen Davis during a practice in 1997.
To fill Westbrook's roster spot, the Bengals activated offensive tackle Reggie Coleman from the reserve/suspended list. He is a rookie from the University of Tennessee.
