That didn't take long.
After his second practice back from his four-game NFL suspension Thursday, right guard Bobbie Williams was installed on the roster and backup guard Otis Hudson was released to make room.
All signs point to Williams starting Sunday in Jacksonville (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12), which would his 110th start as a Bengal in a nine-year career he has missed just seven games because of the suspension and a 2006 appendectomy.
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander had a smile on his face following Thursday's practice and when told that he didn't seem to be losing sleep over the situation said, "I never lose sleep with Bobbie."
"How many years has Bobbie been here? Nine?" Alexander asked. "I would think he would have a little bit of recall. He looks real quick. His weight's down. He's not ready to be a fitness model just yet, but he looks good."
While Williams was on suspension he celebrated his 35th birthday and lost 12 pounds to get into the 335-pound territory, his lightest, he says, since the Eagles took him in the second round of the 2000 draft.
But it was a tough cut because the Bengals are high on Hudson, their fifth-round pick from 2010, and no doubt they hope he clears waivers so they can sign him to the practice squad.
Hudson spent all 16 weeks on the practice squad last season and after a fine first week of training camp this year in which Alexander was calling Hudson and right tackle Andre Smith his two most improved players, Hudson injured his knee and underwent arthroscopic surgery. He returned to practice full go a few weeks back but has inactive for the four games.
It's unclear if one of the two players that replaced Williams in the starting lineup, veteran Mike McGlynn or rookie Clint Boling, would be inactive. McGlynn is a proven center, which may give him the edge.
