GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Packers agreed to terms Friday with quarterback Akili Smith.
The former Bengal was placed on waivers last week, ending his four-year career in Cincinnati.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Smith was selected out of Oregon with the third pick in the 1999 draft.
In four seasons with the Bengals, Smith passed for 2,212 yards and five touchdowns in 22 games and had a 52.8 rating.
He was active for one game last season, completing 12 of 33 passes for 117 yards against the Bucs on Sept. 29.
Smith joins a group of five quarterbacks competing for a backup role behind Brett Favre, who has been the starter the past 12 seasons. Green Bay also has Doug Pederson, Craig Nall, Eric Crouch and Zak Kustok on its roster.
Smith became expendable in Cincinnati, which had a league-worst 2-14 record last season, after the Bengals drafted Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer with the first pick in the draft and signed veteran Shane Matthews.
The Packers did not disclose terms of Smith's contract.
BILLS: Running back Willis McGahee, recovering from knee surgery, won't be ready when training camp opens in six weeks.
That doesn't discourage the former Miami star, who was a surprise first-round pick in April's draft.
"I'm not going to even worry about it. I don't even try to think about it," McGahee said Friday as the Bills wrapped up their final spring minicamp session. "But other than that, I've just got to sit around and wait, learn plays and just do the certain things that I can."
That McGahee won't be ready when rookies and selected veterans are scheduled to report on July 23 is not a surprise. When they drafted him, team officials said McGahee likely will open the season on the physically unable to perform list. The move would allow McGahee to continue to recuperate while leaving open the possibility of activating him between Weeks 10-14.
It's also possible McGahee could miss the entire season.
McGahee said his knee felt stronger when he last jogged on it, and he is trying to stay patient.
"Everything will fall into place for me," he said. "I'm not trying to rush anything. As long as the team accepts me for how I am, that's all I have to worry about."
CARDINALS: Fullback J.P. Comella, younger brother of Tennessee fullback Greg Comella, signed. The undrafted rookie was used strictly as a blocking back at Boston College.
PATRIOTS: Former Storm quarterback Shane Stafford was released. Stafford had been allocated to NFL Europe, where he completed 47 of 78 passes for 589 yards and eight touchdowns with six interceptions with the Scottish Claymores. The Storm retains his Arena Football League rights.
- Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.
