By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sean Brewer was surprised Tuesday when his season came to an end.

The second-year tight end was placed on injured reserve for the second consecutive year. The team's third-round draft pick in 2001, Brewer has played in three games this season with no pass receptions.

"It kind of threw me for a loop," Brewer said of the decision. "I thought they would have done it sooner than later. I was going to practice and see if I could have been ready for Baltimore.

"Now I'll just try to rehab and get ready for next season."

Brewer suffered torn left knee cartilage Sept.22 at Atlanta, underwent arthroscopic surgery Sept.24, and required a second operation Oct.28 after suffering an additional cartilage tear in the knee in practice.

The Bengals made two other roster moves Tuesday involving tight ends.

Chris Edmonds signed a two-year contract to join the active roster. A converted linebacker, Edmonds had been on the practice squad. Edmonds was on the roster for three games last season as a linebacker but did not play.

The Bengals also signed former Highlands High School and UK star Derek Smith to the practice squad.

Smith signed with Indianapolis as a rookie free agent April 26 and spent the preseason in Indianapolis. The Colts waived him Sept.2.

Rookie Matt Schobel is the Bengals' starting tight end and has shown improvement each week.

STAR FOR ARTRELL: Cornerback Artrell Hawkins was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Hawkins had a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Bengals' 38-3 victory at Houston.

Hawkins, a fifth-year player from UC, also was credited with seven tackles and three passes defensed.

The NFL record for longest interception return is 103 yards, shared by Vencie Glenn of San Diego and Louis Oliver of Miami, and Hawkins is one of seven players to have made interception returns of 102 yards.

Hawkins also becomes the third Bengals player to win AFC player of the week awards in the past two seasons.

Quarterback Jon Kitna was offensive player of the week after the Dec.30 victory over Pittsburgh. And linebacker Takeo Spikes won for his performance against Baltimore on Sept.23, 2001.

SUPER MARIO: Also Tuesday, the Bengals cleared defensive tackle Mario Monds to return to practice.

Monds, who suffered a torn right knee ligament (ACL) in April in NFL Europe play, had been on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury/Europe list since Aug.19. Monds will be allowed to practice on roster-exempt status for up to three weeks before the Bengals have to decide his status.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com