Bengals Release QB Justin

April 20, 1999 / 9:20 PM EDT / CBS/AP

The Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday released backup Paul Justin, the second quarterback cut by the team in two days, to reduce their quarterback corps to four.

Justin, 30, completed his fourth NFL season in 1998 and his first with Cincinnati, after signing as a free agent from Indianapolis. He saw limited action with the Bengals, playing in five games including three starts. He completed 34 of 63 passes for 426 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Cincinnati released him to free agency.

On Monday, the Bengals released Neil O'Donnell, nine months after signing him to a four-year, $17 million contract. He was the starter for most of last season, but the Bengals on Saturday went in another direction by making quarterback Akili Smith of Oregon their first-round draft choice.

The Bengals have gone through 10 quarterbacks in nine years and haven't had a winning season since 1990.

The Bengals now have four quarterbacks: Smith, likely 1999 starter Jeff Blake, backup Eric Kresser and Scott Covington, a candidate for the developmental squad who was drafted Sunday in the seventh round.