Thursday night's Bengals-Colts preseason game is not a make-or-break-game for Rob Murphy, Indianapolis coach Jim Mora said Tuesday.

        The Moeller High School graduate and Ohio State product is trying to earn a spot on the Colts' roster. This is the third team he has tried to make in three years; Murphy was waived by the Bengals in 1999 and by the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago.

        The Colts' personnel staff recommended Murphy be signed in April as offensive-line depth. Mora knew of his career at Ohio State, where Murphy was a three-year starter and two-time All-American. But that was about it.

        “He's done well,” Mora said of the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Murphy. “He's done probably better than I expected him to do. He just has performed and produced. He's probably our fourth tackle right now. I like him.

        “I'm not saying he's going to make the team. He could play guard. He's eligible for the developmental squad. Who knows?”

        Mora said Murphy should play at least a half Thursday night.

        During the past year, Murphy has played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe and the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL.

Warrick eager to return punts Replacement refs will work Bengals game Ex-Colt hopes Bengals can duplicate their success Hawkins 'rusty' after tonsillitis Moeller's Murphy trying to make Colts

Xavier lands coveted point guard
Astros 6, Reds 4
Sour ending to Reds' draft
Dunn draws a crowd for homecoming
Miller is Astros' workhorse
Reds box, runs
SULLIVAN: Hey, Michael: Just do it
Kroger Classic gets glimpse of its future
Kroger Senior Classic events
Prep football page
Cincinnati boys soccer highlights
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results
Bonds watch: No homers
RD Cradle Stakes part of National Pick 4

• Return to Bengals front page...