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Dwight Freeney to Bengals? Source says team to work out edge rusher

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals this week are scheduled to work out longtime Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Dwight Freeney, a league source told ESPN.

After losing veteran pass-rusher Wallace Gilberry in free agency this spring, the Bengals are exploring their options in hopes of possibly adding depth there.

A midseason addition to Arizona's roster last October, Freeney made a major impact for the Cardinals defensively. Despite appearing in just 11 games and playing 245 snaps, the 36-year-old recorded eight sacks and forced three fumbles. His eight sacks led all Cardinals defenders. Pro Football Focus credited Freeney with having the sixth-best pass-rush productivity among 3-4 outside linebackers.

Before joining Arizona, the seven-time Pro Bowler spent two seasons with San Diego, and before that, 11 seasons with the Colts.

If he were to sign with the Bengals, Freeney would have to adapt to their 4-3 base defense. It means he likely would play only in specific sub packages. Such a signing would, in that way, be like James Harrison's addition to Cincinnati's defense in 2013. Harrison, then 35, was coming from a 3-4 defense and had some difficulty transitioning to the Bengals' scheme. He had only two sacks. The past two seasons with the Steelers, however, Harrison has had 5.0 and 5.5 sacks, respectively.

Freeney recently said in an interview on "SportsCenter" that he was open to returning to Arizona in 2016, but that if he had to sign anywhere else, he wanted to play for a winning team. The Bengals have reached the postseason the past five seasons.

Cincinnati already has added one over-30 linebacker this offseason, signing 34-year-old Karlos Dansby in March.

The Bengals open organized team activities Tuesday.