Cincinnati Bengals waive local product Monty Madaris, sign Kermit Whitfield

July 29 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals waived wide receiver Monty Madaris and signed wide receiver Levonte "Kermit" Whitefield.

The franchise announced the moves Saturday afternoon. Madaris was on the Bengals' active/physically unable to perform list. If he clears waivers Sunday, he will move to the team's reserve/PUP list. Madaris is suffering from a hamstring injury.

Whitfield, 23, was a rookie free agent out of Florida State before he signed on May 11 with the Chicago Bears. The Bears waived him on May 14. The former Seminoles star ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Whitefield had 102 catches for 1,338 yards and seven scores in three seasons at Florida State. He was also versatile as a kick returner and out of the backfield.

Whitfield is listed at 5-foot-8 and weighs about 185 pounds. He brings more speed to an already blazing Bengals pass catching unit. Before attending Florida State, Whitefield was the Florida state champion in the 100 meters and 200 meters as a high school senior.

According to his NFL.com scouting report, Whitefield struggles with route running and creates traffic for himself. The report states that he is a "body catcher with small hands." His strengths include jet sweeps, reverses and wide receiver screens. He is also dangerous after the catch and has "surprising body control"

Cincinnati has excellent depth at wide receiver with A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Brandon LaFell, Cody Core, Josh Malone and Alex Erickson on the depth chart.

Madaris, 23, is a local product. He attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati before heading to Michigan State.

The Bengals hold another training camp practice at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Cincinnati.