CINCINNATI -- Devon Still got a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts Tuesday, according to several reports, but there was no word from the ex-Bengal or the team that he has been signed.
The Bengals waived the defensive tackle in their final cutdown Sept. 5, and Still became a free agent when no team claimed him within 24 hours.
Source: former Bengals DT Devon Still had a workout with the Colts. Colts' DL needs depth.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 15, 2015
The Colts, who play a 3-4 defense, also worked out former Raiders DT Ricky Lumpkin on Tuesday. The Colts have only seven defensive linemen on their 53-man roster.
Still and his daughter captured the hearts of football fans and non-fans alike when Leah, now 5, fought a public battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma. She was given a 50-50 chance when she was diagnosed in June 2014, but after rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell treatments, she has been in remission since March.
The Stills helped raise more than $1.3 million for cancer research and started a foundation to help other families fighting the disease.They won an ESPY for their efforts.
The Bengals cut Still after training camp in 2014 but they put him on their practice squad so Leah would have medical insurance. After a Bengals lineman was hurt in the first game, the team promoted Still to the active roster, and he played in 14 games. That gave Still enough NFL experience to get medical insurance for five years whether he plays again or not.
It also meant he was no longer eligible for any team's practice squad, so when the Bengals cut him a second time, he said goodbye.
Have nothing but love for the Bengals organization and the city of Cincinnati. Both helped... https://t.co/EIRoFprfQx pic.twitter.com/oaBLOv7up7
— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) September 5, 2015
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said paring the roster was difficult, but this year's decision was based on football only.
"We bridged that gap last year," Lewis said, referring to health insurance coverage. "We made sure Leah was covered so that this year, for Devon and for the Bengals, we could focus on football."
The Bengals were overstocked with good defensive linemen and Still got caught in the numbers game.
"Devon had a good preseason for us, and he’s got to feel good about that. He put a good foot forward," Lewis said. "An opportunity will come, whether it comes here down the line or somewhere else."
