Bengals re-sign DE Wallace Gilberry

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Bengals are busy shoring up their roster during the off-season.

Team officials said Tuesday that they re-signed defensive end Wallace Gilberry.

Gilberry’s contract was set to expire at 4 p.m. and he would have become an unrestricted free agent without a new deal.

“Gil came in and helped us right away last season,” defensive line coach Jay Hayes said. “He’s an active guy with a nose for making plays. We’re glad to have him back, and to get him this year in time for a full run in our offseason program.”

Gilberry is a six-year veteran of the NFL. He joined the Bengals as a free agent last season and played in 14 games and the Wild Card playoff.

The Bengals said Gilberry ranked third on the team in regular season sacks (6.5) and his three fumble recoveries tied for the team lead. He returned one fumble for a touchdown, and he also had one forced fumble.

Officials said Gilberry played from 2008-11 with Kansas City. He has 20.5 career sacks, with five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.