Free agent safety Taylor Mays has spent the last several weeks in a treatment facility and is now finally healthy, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Mays comes off of suspension on Monday and several teams are showing interest in the former Bengal (Twitter link).
Mays was flagged for two substance abuse policy violations this year and his second suspension is about to wrap up. Rapoport notes that the Bengals kept an open mind on Mays and says that they “may have interest” when his suspension is up. It’s not clear if Rapoport has direct knowledge of the Bengals’ interest level or if that is just informed speculation.
This year, the Bengals were counting on Mays to help support starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams at safety. The Bengals already knew that they would be without the 28-year-old for the first four games of the 2016 season, but they decided to cut bait when they learned that his ban had doubled. In less than a week, we should know whether Cincinnati is willing to go down that road again.