With the Bengals limping at safety, they activated rookie cornerback Rico Murray and released defensive tackle Shaun Smith on Saturday just before the club left for Sunday's game in Minnesota.
Murray, a free agent out of Kent State, comes off the practice squad for the first time this season after a week starting safety Chris Crocker (ankle) and backup safety Kyries Hebert (knee) didn't go full in practice. Smith signed on Wednesday and it is doubtful he would have been active Sunday.