Free agent DB Nate Clements wants to play in the NFL this season.

Bengals SS Nate Clements (calf) and CB Leon Hall (hamstring) both returned to the starting lineup in Week 5.

Hall stepped in opposite Terence Newman and Clements continued his move from corner to safety. They helped hold Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill to 223 yards and no touchdowns.

Nate Clements (calf) is doubtful for Week 4.

Clements started at safety in Sunday's win over the Redskins. This was his first game at safety after 161 starts at corner. More importantly, it highlighted the Bengals struggles at safety this season. Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles haven't been particularly effective, so the Bengals could turn to Chris Crocker on Sunday. Crocker resumed practice this week after being sidelined for the last eight months.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer anticipates Nate Clements opening the season as the Bengals' starting left corner.

Clements saw some early-camp reps at safety, an idea that might have been more viable had first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick not injured his knee. Reedy expects Clements to book end RCB Leon Hall, with Taylor Mays at strong safety opposite Reggie Nelson. The Bengals are going to need big-time pass rush to cover up their secondary flaws. Offenses should be able to throw on this unit.

Nate Clements has begun taking snaps at safety at Bengals training camp.

Clements "split" his snaps between cornerback and safety, seeing action with the first-team defense at both spots. Reggie Nelson is locked in at free safety, so the Bengals appear to be giving Clements a long look as a strong safety upgrade on Taylor Mays. Either way, Cincinnati's secondary looks like a major liability at this point. Three of the four spots are potential problem areas.

Bengals LCB Nate Clements (abdominal strain) has been activated from the active/PUP list.

Clements was limited to individual drills on Monday, but it's still good news for a banged-up Bengals secondary. Clements might sit out Cincinnati's first preseason game, but should see plenty of exhibition action.

Bengals LCB Nate Clements is still nursing an abdominal strain.

Clements sat out May OTAs with the ailment and now he's watching training camp from the sidelines. Still, it's possible the Bengals are just playing it safe after first-round CB Dre Kirkpatrick went down with a knee injury earlier this week. "With these type of injuries you have to take your time," Clements said. "It can keep lingering on and that is not one of those things we want to rush."

Bengals LCB Nate Clements is sitting out of OTAs with an abdominal strain, and may not return until "late in OTAs."

It's an ill-timed injury for a player who could be a post-June 1 cap casualty, though it's unlikely anything Clements did in OTAs was going to affect his status. If the Bengals elect to keep Clements and his $5.5 million cap number, he should be ready for June's minicamp.

The Cincinnati Enquirer suggests LCB Nate Clements could be a June 1 cap casualty after the Bengals drafted Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round.

The two possess similar skill sets, and Clements' $5.5 million cap number is working against him. If the Bengals believe they can get the same from cheaper veteran Terence Newman, Clements could be shown the door before camp. Clements' 2012 base salary is $4.3 million. He's also owed a $200K reporting bonus.

Bengals LCB Nate Clements' base salary leaps from $1 million in 2011 to $4.3 million in 2012.

It's the final season on the two-year, $10.5 million deal Clements signed last July, so the Bengals wouldn't experience signing bonus acceleration should they choose to release him. Though Clements tackled efficiently in his first year with Cincinnati, his coverage skills are no longer up to par at age 32. A move to free safety could be a consideration with incumbent starter Reggie Nelson set for free agency and SS Chris Crocker fading fast.

Bengals CB Nate Clements left Sunday's game in the second quarter with an arm injury.

Clements took a helmet to his arm while making a tackle. He stayed down for a couple of minutes, but was able to walk off under his own power while shaking his arm.

Bengals signed CB Nate Clements, formerly of the 49ers.

The Bengals have their Johnathan Joseph replacement in a 31 year old that was cut loose by the 49ers on Thursday. It wasn't an erosion of skills that got Clements cut, however, but his gargantuan $17 million cap number. He looked to still have plenty left in the tank last season, notching 82 tackles and three interceptions. That's just not $17 million production.

49ers will release CB Nate Clements.

Clements couldn't come to an agreement on a restructured paycut, and the Niners need to clear $7 million in cap space for their pursuit of Nnamdi Asomugha and now Johnathan Joseph. The door is open for Clements to return at a lower salary, but he could be recruited by a Midwest team such as the Browns, Lions, or Bengals.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area has confirmed that the 49ers cannot keep CB Nate Clements on the roster at his $17 million cap figure.

Clements hasn't been cut yet, but it's coming. The Niners are in pursuit of some of the top free agent cornerbacks available, and they can't do much while Clements is holding them hostage. Clements' release should be announced today.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that the 49ers have not yet cut ties with CB Nate Clements.

Maiocco concedes that he's "back-pedaling" after initially reporting Clements had been informed of his release. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora and ESPN's Adam Schefter both report Clements remains on the 49ers' roster and has not been told otherwise. Yet. Clements' $15 million in salary and bonuses is still extremely hefty for a cornerback whose performance is no longer elite. We'd still expect him to be cut if the 49ers "settle" for a corner like Johnathan Joseph if they don't land Nnamdi Asomugha.

49ers informed CB Nate Clements of his release.

Clements previously indicated he'd be amenable to a pay cut, but the 49ers just couldn't keep the $15 million he was due on the roster. We don't think he'll be back for less money, either, particularly with San Francisco in pursuit of free agent Nnamdi Asomugha. Richard Marshall has also been linked to the 49ers. The talent-rich cornerback market seems to be waiting on Asomugha to sign somewhere. Clements will fall in line as a second-tier option.

GM Trent Baalke confirmed that the 49ers have no plans to move CB Nate Clements to safety.

"I'm quite confident in the thought process that Nate's a corner," said Baalke. "Could someone envision him playing safety at some point? Certainly. ... But that's not what we're looking at him as." Baalke refused to comment on Clements' contract, which will have to be pared down to return.

The 49ers are not expected to try to convert Nate Clements from cornerback to safety this season.

It feels like we go through song and dance his every year. Cornerback is a more valuable position than safety, and Clements was the team's top corner last season. First things first, Clements is going to have to take a massive pay cut from his $17 million cap number. If the sides agree to a reduction -- and the signs say they can -- Clements will return at cornerback.

49ers CB Nate Clements says he plans to play for San Francisco this season, indicating he is open to a pay reduction.

"Absolutely," he said. "I never said I didn't. That's not really an issue." Clements is participating in player-organized workouts despite his somewhat uncertain status. The 31-year-old will likely have to cut his $15+ million pay in half to stick around, but if Clements agrees he should return as a starter.

The 49ers have set a salary mark above which they will not pay Nate Clements this season.

If Clements won't agree to cut his salary to the price the 49ers believe he's now worth, he'll be playing elsewhere. Clements is due in excess of $15 million for 2011. There's a good chance he'll have to cut that by more than half.