THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran linebacker Victor Hobson on Wednesday to bolster their injury-plagued defence.

A sixth-year pro, Hobson was cut by the New England Patriots just before the regular season began. He played five years for the New York Jets, making 58 starts that included 14 of 16 games last season.

He had 62 tackles with two sacks last season. For his career, Hobson has 334 tackles, 11 sacks, three interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

The six-foot, 250-pound second-round draft pick from Michigan joins a team that has lost a half-dozen defensive players to injury. The latest was safety Marvin White, who tore knee ligaments in Sunday's 34-3 loss to Baltimore.

Cincinnati is 1-10-1 heading into Sunday's game at Indianapolis.