First, the Bengals announced in the morning on July 24 that they waived tailback Kenny Irons. He failed a team physical earlier this week, the club said in a press release. Irons was not expected to be ready for the start of training camp and was a candidate to start the season on the physically unable to perform list.

This year's second-round pick, wide receiver Jerome Simpson, agreed to terms on a four-year contract he would sign Sunday when reporting to camp.

And offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, the team's second-round pick in 2006 and starting left guard, reached agreement on a four-year extension through 2013 that is worth about $30 million in new money. Whitworth played 75 percent of offensive snaps as a rookie and 99 percent last season. He has 15 career starts at guard and 13 at tackle.

"They made a statement that they wanted me to be here. And I said I wanted to be here for a longer period of time to help us win," said Whitworth, whose rookie deal ran through 2009.

The roster move involving Irons drops the Bengals' roster to its training camp maximum of 80 players, including all 10 draft picks, signed and unsigned.

Irons played college ball at Auburn and was the Bengals' second-round choice in the 2007 draft.

He was expected to provide an outside threat opposite of Rudi Johnson's bruising inside style. Irons has been unable to play or practice since suffering a torn left knee ligament (ACL) in the 2007 preseason opener Aug. 9 at Detroit. He spent his rookie season on the injured reserve list. If Irons were to clear waivers -- meaning no other NFL team would claim his rights and sign him -- the Bengals could re-sign him and place him on the injured reserve list for the 2008 season. But he could not play for a second consecutive year.

On July 26 last year, Irons signed a four-year contract with the Bengals for $5 million, $1.7 of which was guaranteed.

The Bengals are relatively deep at running back, even without Irons. Starter Rudi Johnson has healed from a hamstring injury that cost him five games in 2007.

Kenny Watson, who led the 2007 Bengals in rushing in Johnson's absence, will go to training camp listed second on the depth chart. And Chris Perry, who has not played since sustaining serious ankle and shin injury in November 2006, is third on the depth chart at tailback. DeDe Dorsey is expected to be available shortly after camp opens; he sustained a hamstring injury in the June minicamp.

The Bengals also like James Johnson, a rookie free agent from Kansas State who had an impressive spring with the Bengals.

CAMP CALENDAR: The Bengals reported Sunday morning, July 27, and they were scheduled to practice for the first time Monday, July 28, twice. The intrasquad scrimmage is Friday night, Aug. 1, and the mock game Aug. 2. The preseason opener is Monday night, Aug. 11, at Green Bay. Camp breaks Friday, Aug. 15.

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