Bengals WR Jordan Shipley returns to practice

By The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) Bengals receiver Jordan Shipley has been cleared to practice, the final step in his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery.

Shipley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Sept. 18. He was limited during drills in the offseason and wasn't allowed to practice when training camp opened on Friday.

He practiced for the first time on Monday, along with cornerback Nate Clements. Clements started all but one game last season. He's been bothered by an abdominal strain.

Shipley is in a group of receivers competing for the starting job in the slot. Andrew Hawkins and rookie Mohamed Sanu are expected to get a lot of time at the position during the preseason.

Updated July 30, 2012