Bengals bring back Andre Smith

Apr 27, 2013 - 12:23 AM Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bengals have their starting right offensive tackle back in the fold, with the team reaching an agreement with veteran Andre Smith on Friday.

The deal is worth $18 million over three years, according to NFL.com.

Including the playoffs, Smith has started 32 of a possible 34 games for the Bengals over the last two seasons, missing the other two due to injury, but failed to draw much interest on this year's free-agent market despite being regarded as one of the top available run-blocking right tackles. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound mauler has started a total of 35 regular-season contests on the right side since being taken by Cincinnati with the sixth overall selection of the 2009 draft.

"We're excited to have gotten this important deal done this afternoon," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "Andre is a fine player who has matured tremendously during his time with us, and completing this now enhances what we'll be able to do to best improve our team these last two days of the draft."