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Joe Mixon, Bengals sign rookie deal

By Josh Benjamin

Nov 12, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) is seen on the field before action against the Baylor Bears prior to the game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) is seen on the field before action against the Baylor Bears prior to the game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati Bengals have inked controversial running back Joe Mixon to his rookie contract.

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed rookie running back Joe Mixon, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Mixon, a second round pick and the 48th overall, signed a four-year contract worth close to $5.5 million.

The Bengals drafted the Oklahoma alum in spite of his known off-field issues. Mixon was suspended by Oklahoma for a season after punching a young woman in the face at a local restaurant. The incident left her with facial fractures and video of the altercation was made public in December of last year.

Mixon wound up pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and completed a year’s probation on top of 100 hours of community service and anger management counseling. He is expected to compete for the starting tailback’s job alongside Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard in training camp.

But there is little doubt that the Bengals are taking a risk on Mixon. It was reported before the draft that he had physically assaulted a girl in high school. That’s quite a red flag along with the incident at Oklahoma, particularly since the high school assault was allegedly due to sexual advances being rejected.

Mixon, however, has still been welcomed with open arms by the Bengals organization, particularly quarterback Andy Dalton.

“From what I saw in college and one of the big reasons we brought him in is because he can do both [run and catch],” said Dalton via the Bengals’ website. “One of the things that helps with a guy that is versatile is you’re not tipping anything — you could be running the ball and you could be throwing it.”

That still does not take away from the Bengals seemingly being the team of controversial players. The roster also features controversy magnet Adam “Pacman” Jones and known personal foul machine Vontaze Burfict.

Next: Every NFL Team's Biggest Draft Whiff Of All-Time

Here’s hoping that Mixon can finally get it together in the NFL and stay out of trouble. Otherwise, he’ll have been a wasted draft pick for Cincinnati.

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