The Cincinnati Bengals have claimed FB/TE Garrett Mills off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles. A source confirmed the Cleveland Browns, Vikings and Bengals put waiver claims in for Mills.

Mills (6-1, 235) is a fifth-year NFL player out of the University of Tulsa. He played in seven games for the Eagles this season, with three starts, and had two receptions for 19 yards.

He opened 2010 with the Minnesota Vikings and was released on Sept. 4. He was signed Sept. 6 to Philadelphia’s practice squad and signed Sept. 14 to the Eagles 53-man roster. He entered the NFL in 2006 as a fourth-round draft choice of the New England Patriots. He first played in 2007, for Minnesota, and he also was with the Vikings in 2008 and 2009. He has played in 16 career games, with three starts, and has nine catches for 110 yards.

The decision to claim Mills off waivers by the Bengals is surprising since they already had three tight ends and one fullback on their active roster.

-- Adam Caplan