The Bengals have re-signed wide receiver and kick returner Brandon Tate as an unrestricted free agent.
Tate (6-1, 200; North Carolina) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2013, entering his third season with the Bengals. Last season, he caught 13 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown, averaged 24.8 yards on 32 kickoff returns and averaged 8.9 yards on 21 punt returns. He has a Bengals career average of 10.1 yards on punt returns, currently tops in club history.
“Brandon has excellent tools, especially great speed, and he can continue to help is both on offense and special teams,” said Darrin Simmons, Bengals special teams coordinator. “He’s a hard worker and a good team player. We’re glad to have him back.”
Tate, who began his NFL career with New England, has 37 career receptions for 643 yards and four TDs. He had two kickoff returns for TDs with the Patriots and has had one punt return TD for Cincinnati.
Tate is the 10th player from the 2012 Bengals roster who had been eligible for unrestricted free agency but has re-signed with Cincinnati. Re-signing previously were DE Robert Geathers, DE Wallace Gilberry, LS Clark Harris, DE Michael Johnson, P Kevin Huber, LB Rey Maualuga, K Mike Nugent, TE Richard Quinn and OT Dennis Roland. (Michael Johnson was designated as the club’s franchise player and has signed a one-year tender offer, with negotiation of a longer deal still an option.) The Bengals have also signed one UFA from another club, QB Josh Johnson (last with Cleveland).
