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Former Packers corner Bené Benwikere signs with Bengals, per report

After a brief stay on the Packers' practice squad, Bené Benwikere has signed with the Bengals.

Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Bené Benwikere's long and storied tenure with the Green Bay Packers has officially come to an end. On Tuesday, the cornerback signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to USA Today's Tom Pelissero.

Benwikere joined the Packers' practice squad briefly during the week leading up to the NFC Championship Game. When the team lost to the Atlanta Falcons the following Sunday, the corner became available to sign with any club. Green Bay could have signed him to a futures contract -- a deal to lock in their services for the following season's 90-man roster -- but either the team had no interest or Benwikere choose to pursue other options.

With the release of No. 1 cover man Sam Shields last week and the versatile Micah Hyde scheduled to hit free agency at the start of the new league year, the Packers have seven cornerbacks under contract for 2017, including by Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, and Ladarius Gunter.

Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He covers the NFL for Sports on Earth and SB Nation. He also serves as the senior writer and editor for Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog.