Guard Christian Westerman returns to Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals guard Christian Westerman reached a decision. 

Westerman notified the Bengals that he’s returning to the team on Wednesday. The guard was contemplating his football future and left the Bengals last week. The Bengals had placed Westerman on the exempt/left squad list. He didn't play in the team's second preseason game against the Washington Redskins. 

The third-year guard had until 4 p.m. on Wednesday to come to a conclusion on his playing future. 

If Westerman had walked away from football he would've been the third offensive lineman to turn in his helmet and pads since July. Guard Clint Boling retired on July 15 and Kent Perkins decided to walk away from football on Aug. 13.

Before Westerman was placed on the exempt/left squad list, he was in a competitive clash for the starting left guard position. His short absence likely takes him out of the running for now. 

John Jerry, Trey Hopkins and Michael Jordan are currently the front runners to win the battle at left guard. The Bengals are even contemplating moving Billy Price to guard.

The Bengals drafted Westerman in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He's played in 16 career games with the team, making two starts.