CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals signed free agent Chris Crocker on Thursday, bringing back a veteran who can help solve some of their problems at safety.

The Bengals (2-1) have made several switches at safety in the opening games. Their defense ranks 29th in the league heading into a game Sunday at Jacksonville (1-2).

Crocker signed with the Bengals during the 2008 season and became a mainstay. He started all 16 games last season as well as a playoff loss at Houston. The Bengals released him on April 6.

Cincinnati released tight end Donald Lee to open a roster spot. Lee was inactive for the first three games of the season.