Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith after the Bengals defeated the Buccaneers 14-13 during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco) (The Associated Press)
CINCINNATI – The Bengals have acquired a familiar player to help them fix one of their biggest trouble spots heading toward the postseason.
Veteran right tackle Eric Winston practiced on Wednesday a few hours after signing a contract. Coach Marvin Lewis has known Winston for years through his work with the NFL's Competition Committee.
The Bengals (8-3-1) lead the AFC North by a game and a half heading into a stretch of three division games in the final four. They lost right tackle Andre Smith to a torn left triceps. Marshall Newhouse and Clint Boling alternated at the position during a 14-13 win at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Winston will take some time to get acquainted with the Bengals' offense.
___
Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.