CINCINNATI -- The Bengals released receiver Brandon Tate -- the franchise leader in punt returns -- as part of their moves to reach the 75-man roster limit on Tuesday, leaving room for a rookie to take the job.Undrafted rookie Alex Erickson impressed during the preseason, with an 80-yard touchdown among his four punt returns. Second-round pick Tyler Boyd also returned a couple of punts, one of them for 24 yards.The Bengals want someone to take over the bulk of the punt returns duties so cornerback Adam Pacman Jones can stay fresh for defense.Erickson was a walk-on at Wisconsin and wasnt drafted because of his limited experience, starting only two seasons in college. His impressive showing convinced the Bengals he could be counted on as a returner and an extra receiver, prompting them to release Tate.With what theyve done -- he and Tyler both as returners -- gives us some options, coach Marvin Lewis said. Going in, we knew about Tyler, but we didnt know how effective Alex would be.Ericksons 80-yard touchdown return in the first preseason game against Minnesota got a lot of attention. He also has caught four passes for 33 yards and a pair of touchdowns in three games, showing he could fill the role of backup receiver.Not that Brandon lost it, but I think Alex earned that spot with his playmaking ability, special teams coach Darrin Simmons said. You saw it. Everyone was kind of surprised Week One. I was, too. And then it just kept happening week after week after week and theres something there. I have a great deal of faith in him.Tate played in 80 games during five seasons with the Bengals, starting seven times. His main contribution was as a kick returner. He returned 149 punts for 1,411 yards, both club records. He also returned 145 kickoffs. The Bengals released him on Tuesday rather than waiting for the final cut over the weekend, giving Tate a better chance to catch on with another team.Hes meant a great deal to the football team, Lewis said. Its one of the harder decisions weve had to make. It gives him, hopefully, a jump on another opportunity for this year.The Bengals finish the preseason on Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts. They open on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the New York Jets.In addition to releasing Tate, the Bengals made several moves with injured players.- Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson went on the physically unable to perform list, but could be eligible to return after the sixth week of the season. Thompson suffered a knee injury in the final game last season.- Rookie defensive tackle Andrew Billings went on injured reserve. He suffered a knee injury during practice on Aug. 10.- Receiver Mario Alford was released. He suffered an ankle injury in the first preseason game. If nobody claims him off waivers, hell revert to the Bengals injured reserve list.- Kicker Jonathan Brown was waived off injured reserve. Hed been sidelined by a foot injury.The Bengals didnt make a move with running back Cedric Peerman, who broke his left forearm on Sunday against Jacksonville. Peerman, the No. 4 running back, is one of their top special teams players and was picked for his first Pro Bowl last season.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCarson Wentz Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Nick Foles Eagles Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. 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Editors Note: You can still vote below if you feel so inclined, but we finalized the tallies and have moved on to the Final.How will you best remember Big Papi?As David Ortizs final regular season hits its home stretch, were asking fans to select the Boston Red Sox sluggers signature achievement.A week ago, we began the Big Papi Bracket with an opening round of 32 moments. Last Thursday, we revealed the Sweet 16. Monday, we moved on to the Elite Eight. Today, its the Final Four.And on Monday, the championship round.All you have to do is vote.Green Monster Region vs. Pesky Pole RegionNo. 1 seed: Oct. 17, 2004 -- With the Red Sox down 3-0 in the American League Championship Series, Ortiz hits a 12th-inning, two-run, walk-off home run against?Paul Quantrill to beat the New York Yankees and spark Bostons historic series comeback.No. 1 seed: Oct. 13, 2013 -- Ortiz sends Torii Hunter tumbling over the right-field wall at Fenway Park -- and turns a celebrating Boston cop, Steve Horgan, into a celebrity -- with a grand slam that turns the tide in Game 2 off the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.ddddddddddddThe Triangle Region vs. Yawkey Way RegionNo. 1 seed: April 20, 2013 -- The only No. 1 seed not in October, but its a serious contender for the crown nonetheless. Otherwise known as The Speech, Ortiz addresses the Fenway faithful, the city of Boston and the entire country in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. All right, Boston, Big Papi says. This jersey that we wear today, it doesnt say Red Sox. It says Boston. We want to thank you, Mayor [Thomas] Menino, Governor [Deval] Patrick, the whole police department for the great job that they did this past week. This is our f---ing city. And nobodys going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.No. 1 seed: Oct. 18, 2004 -- Down 3-1 in the ALCS (after his walk-off home run in Game 4), Ortiz smacks a two-No. 1 seed: Oct. 13, 2013 -- Ortiz sends Torii Hu