NFL: Daughter better, Still signs contract

Defensive tackle Devon Still signed a one-year contract to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, a few days after getting encouraging news about his 4-year-old daughter's fight with cancer.

The Bengals had offered Still, a Camden native and Penn State graduate, a one-year deal. He waited to see how his daughter, Leah, was doing before making a decision. Results of her tests this week showed her cancer treatments are working.

If the results had not been as encouraging, Still would have had to decide whether to try to sign with a team on the East Coast so he could be closer to his daughter, or return to Cincinnati and see her less often.

"Everything really depended upon my daughter's results," Still said during a conference call. "Now that they are going the right way, obviously I am going back to Cincinnati because that's the team that drafted me and stood by me the whole time."

Leah Still's cancer was diagnosed last year and she had surgery to remove a tumor from her abdomen. After her most recent course of chemotherapy, a test found no trace of the disease. Still is waiting for the results of more tests to see if the cancer is gone.

Still has played in 30 games with Cincinnati during the last three seasons, including 12 last year. He also helped to raise more than $1.3 million for pediatric cancer research and treatment.

Still has been grateful for the team's gesture and its patience.

"I definitely didn't warrant a new contract with the Bengals," Still said. "But they gave me another opportunity to go out there and prove myself."

The Jaguars claimed Bernard Pierce, a former Temple Owls player and Glen Mills High School graduate, off waivers, one day after a drunken-driving charge led to the running back's release by the Baltimore Ravens. He rushed for 1,334 yards and five touchdowns in 45 games with the Ravens. . . . The Falcons signed free-agent Jacob Tamme, who had 14 catches for 109 and two touchdowns with Denver last season. . . . The Browns agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent Dwayne Bowe. . . . Tight end Daniel Fells re-signed with the Giants.

The Jets signed former Giants offensive lineman James Brewer to a one-year contract. . . . The Broncos agreed to terms with free-agent linebacker/special teamer Reggie Walker on a one-year contract. . . . The Cowboys added free-agent fullback Ray Agnew. . . .

Free agent defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin agreed to a deal with the Seahawks. . . . The Vikings added former Packers running back DuJuan Harris. . . . The Redskins re-signed free-agent quarterback Colt McCoy, who started four games for the team last season.