CINCINNATI -- The two-week suspension Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris served for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy was lifted Monday.
He was granted full reinstatement to all team activities, but his status with the team as of now remains in limbo.
For now, he is neither formally on the 53-man roster nor on the practice squad. The NFL granted Lewis-Harris and the Bengals a two-day exemption Monday that will give the team two days to figure out what exactly it will do with him. The Bengals have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to inform the league.
With only 52 players on the current 53-man roster, there technically is a spot for him. But after a wave of serious injuries swept over the team in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Falcons, the Bengals may be active on the free-agent market this week as they try to maintain depth following the injuries. Receiver A.J. Green, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, tight end Alex Smith and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson were the five players lost in Sunday's game.
Zeitler's, Thompson's and Smith's injuries appear to be the most serious; it appears for now that it could be weeks before they return to action. The other two have better chances of playing this week against Tennessee but are more likely to be rested this week ahead of the Bengals' Week 4 bye.
Lewis-Harris' partial reinstatement means he is cleared to participate in workouts and personnel meetings. If he gets signed to the 53-man roster officially on Wednesday, he will join a deep defensive backs group.
The third-year player spent the preseason with the Bengals after appearing in regular-season games the last two years. He has eight career defensive tackles.
