CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have signed quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan as a backup for Carson Palmer.
O'Sullivan is a seven-year NFL player who started the first eight games for San Francisco last season. The 6-foot-2, 227-pound quarterback was a 2002 sixth-round New Orleans draft choice out of Cal-Davis.
O'Sullivan's NFL totals include 14 games played with the eight starts, and a passer rating of 71.0. He has 141 completions in 246 attempts, or 57.3 percent, for 1,826 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
The Bengals didn't release terms of his deal Friday. They are counting on Palmer's return from an elbow injury last season, but they needed a backup because Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Buffalo as a free agent.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
The following is the official press release from the Bengals.
BENGALS SIGN QB J.T. O’SULLIVAN
The Bengals today signed their fifth unrestricted free agent for 2009, agreeing to terms with QB J.T. O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan (6-2, 227; Cal-Davis) is a seventh-year NFL player. He had his busiest pro season last year, starting the first eight games for San Francisco and playing in nine contests on the year. He finished with a 73.6 passer rating, completing 128-of-220 (58.2%) for 1678 yards with eight TDs and 11 INTs.
“J.T. saw a lot of action last year and we see him as a player with still a lot of upside,” said Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. “He has experience in a number of systems and is a very sharp guy. We’re happy to have him as a backup to Carson (Palmer).”
O’Sullivan entered the NFL in 2002 as a sixth-round draft choice of New Orleans. He made his NFL debut with a brief late-game appearance for Green Bay in 2004. He saw his first action as a passer in 2007 with Detroit, playing in four games and completing 13-of-26 for 148 yards with one TD and two INTs.
His NFL totals include 14 games played with eight starts, and a passer rating of 71.0 on 141 completions in 246 attempts (57.3%) for 1826 yards, nine TDs and 13 INTs.
Unrestricted free agents signing previously with the Bengals during this signing period have been WR Laveranues Coles, HB Cedric Benson, LB Darryl Blackstock and S Chris Crocker. Coles was with the N.Y. Jets last year, while Benson, Blackstock and Crocker are players re-signed by Cincinnati.
