Bengals signed franchise player Mike Nugent to a one-year, $2.654 million contract.

Nugent, 30, will be fully guaranteed the salary for the 2012 season, and the Bengals are likely interested in a long-term deal. An early-career bust as a former second-round pick by Herm Edwards' Jets, Nugent has gotten his career on track recently. He converted 33 of his 38 field goal attempts last season. Nugent can't be expected to match that production from a fantasy perspective in 2012, but he's certainly got a very strong leg.

Bengals assigned the franchise tag to K Mike Nugent.

The kicker franchise tag is estimated at $2.6 million to $2.7 million. Nugent, 30, nailed 33 of his 38 field goal attempts in 2011, good for a percentage of 86.8. He also had a stunning 36 touchbacks. Strong-legged and finally polished in terms of accuracy, Nugent recovered perfectly from a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus suffered in his kicking leg in November of 2010.

Re-singing free agent K Mike Nugent is exepcted to be a priority for the Bengals.

Mike Nugent (knee surgery) did not miss a field goal during the first week of camp.

Nugent banged a 54-yarder on Saturday, confirming that his knee is at full strength. Still, he's proven to be inconsistent throughout his career and the Bengals offense projects as plodding. We can do better at kicker.

Coach Marvin Lewis is satisfied with the way Mike Nugent (torn ACL, MCL) is kicking early in camp.

The release of Clint Stitser was a vote of confidence for Nugent, who is "pretty much" all the back to pre-injury form. We're still avoiding Nugent in fantasy drafts, as he was among the most inconsistent kickers in the league even before the injury.

Bengals K Mike Nugent (torn ACL, MCL) received medical clearance from Ohio State doctors to participate in training camp.

The former Buckeye is awaiting clearance from Bengals doctors, with whom he'll be able to visit today. Nugent is now over eight months removed from blowing out his knee. He tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in mid-November last season.

Bengals K Mike Nugent claims to be ahead of schedule in his return from a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his kicking leg.

Three months after sustaining the injury, the MCL and meniscus are healed. Nugent expects to begin kicking again in May, though there is concern that he may never recapture his pre-injury form. Clint Stitser, who closed out the season as the Bengals' kicker, is signed through 2011.

Bengals K Mike Nugent won't be kicking for at least the next month.

Nugent underwent reconstructive knee surgery on his kicking leg, a procedure that has some questioning his NFL future. Nugent remains optimistic that he'll be able to fulfill the final year of his contract, saying that he caught a break by not injuring his plant foot. We'll see come next season.

Bengals placed K Mike Nugent on injured reserve with a torn right ACL and sprained right MCL, ending his season.

Nugent, 28, will need reconstructive knee surgery on his kicking leg, which we've got to believe is a career-threatening procedure for any placekicker. The former second-round Jets bust was off to the best start of his career through nine games. Nugent is under contract for $640,000 in 2011.

An MRI confirmed that Mike Nugent (knee) is out for the season.

Nugent's season ends thanks to an onside kick gone bad. He went 15-for-19 in his first season with the Bengals, including a 12-for-12 mark from 39 yards and in. Possible replacements for the Bengals include veterans Matt Stover and John Carney.

The Cincinnati Enquirer confirms that K Mike Nugent (knee) may be done for the season.

Nugent, who was injured on an onside kick, was slated for an MRI on his right (kicking) knee Sunday night. Fantasy owners should cut bait while the Bengals look for a replacement.

Bengals K Mike Nugent's right (kicking) knee injury is believed to be "severe," according to the team's website.

"It doesn't look good," admitted Nugent. The Bengals will be pursuing free agent kickers this season. Matt Stover and John Carney are both available.

Bengals K Mike Nugent had to be carried off the field with a leg injury late in the fourth quarter Sunday's game against the Colts.

The Bengals recovered the onsides kick down by six points with under three minutes remaining. Nugent couldn't put any weight on the leg, an indication that he may not be available for an extra point attempt. There's a chance that Esteban Ochocinco will attempt the game-winner if the Bengals find the end zone.

Mike Nugent went 5-for-5 on field goals in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Ravens.

That's the way you get some job security with your new team. Nugent connected on a 54-yarder in Week 1 and was the hero yesterday. He's on the fantasy radar with a matchup against the Panthers on deck.

The Bengals have reportedly opted to go with Mike Nugent as their kicker over Dave Rayner.

No surprise here. Nugent has the stronger leg and much more upside. He overcame an early-camp groin injury to drill two field goals over 50 yards in the last two games. Considering his past accuracy woes, Nugent should go undrafted in fantasy leagues.

Bengals K Mike Nugent (groin) has made two field goals of 50+ yards in the last two games.

Nugent nailed a 54-yarder against the Bills last week and then hit a 52-yarder in Indianapolis' dome on Thursday night. He's clearly healthy and seems to have an edge on Dave Rayner for the job.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer suggests that the Bengals' opening week kicker might not even be on the roster right now.

Dave Rayner has missed 2-of-6 field goals in exhibition action, and Mike Nugent is still "fighting the effects" of training camp groin injury. The Bengals could pounce on the loser of the kicking competition in either Houston or Baltimore.

Mike Nugent is ahead of Dave Rayner on the Bengals' first depth chart.

It's a fairly even competition, so we're likely a ways off from the Bengals declaring a winner. Either way, the rugged AFC North isn't a great spot for fantasy production from the kicking position.

Bengals signed K Mike Nugent to a two-year contract.

Nugent, 28, is a strong-legged former second-round surprise who lacks any hint of field-goal kicking accuracy, making him a good complement for Dave Rayner in Cincinnati. The Bengals will hold a competition in training camp.