Hardy Nickerson: Cincinnati Bengals promote linebacker to active roster

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have promoted linebacker Hardy Nickerson from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Cincinnati announced the transaction on Monday. The Bengals also announced the signing of long snapper Clark Harris to a one-year extension and the signing of tight end Scott Orndoff to the practice squad.

Nickerson joined the Bengals this offseason as an undrafted rookie free agent. He played in the Bengals' first three games before getting waived on Sept. 28. He signed with the Bengals' practice squad on Sept. 29.

Nickerson, 23, played collegiately at Illinois. His father is also Hardy Nickerson, who was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers.

Harris, 33, was a seventh round pick by the Bengals in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Rutgers product has played in 131 of 134 possible games during his nine-year tenure. Harris also has 28 special teams tackles for the Bengals and two special teams takedowns in 2017. He was playing on the final season of his five-year contract with the franchise before the extension.

Orndoff originally signed with the Steelers on May 1 as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was waived on Aug. 4 and signed with the Detroit Lions on Aug. 21. Orndoff had one catch for four yards in the Lions' final two preseason contests. He was waived on Sept. 2.