Bengals CB Nate Clements left Sunday's game in the second quarter with an arm injury. Clements took a helmet to his arm while making a tackle. He stayed down for a couple of minutes, but was able to walk off under his own power while shaking his arm.

Bengals signed CB Nate Clements, formerly of the 49ers. The Bengals have their Johnathan Joseph replacement in a 31 year old that was cut loose by the 49ers on Thursday. It wasn't an erosion of skills that got Clements cut, however, but his gargantuan $17 million cap number. He looked to still have plenty left in the tank last season, notching 82 tackles and three interceptions. That's just not $17 million production.

49ers will release CB Nate Clements. Clements couldn't come to an agreement on a restructured paycut, and the Niners need to clear $7 million in cap space for their pursuit of Nnamdi Asomugha and now Johnathan Joseph. The door is open for Clements to return at a lower salary, but he could be recruited by a Midwest team such as the Browns, Lions, or Bengals.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area has confirmed that the 49ers cannot keep CB Nate Clements on the roster at his $17 million cap figure. Clements hasn't been cut yet, but it's coming. The Niners are in pursuit of some of the top free agent cornerbacks available, and they can't do much while Clements is holding them hostage. Clements' release should be announced today.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that the 49ers have not yet cut ties with CB Nate Clements. Maiocco concedes that he's "back-pedaling" after initially reporting Clements had been informed of his release. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora and ESPN's Adam Schefter both report Clements remains on the 49ers' roster and has not been told otherwise. Yet. Clements' $15 million in salary and bonuses is still extremely hefty for a cornerback whose performance is no longer elite. We'd still expect him to be cut if the 49ers "settle" for a corner like Johnathan Joseph if they don't land Nnamdi Asomugha.

49ers informed CB Nate Clements of his release. Clements previously indicated he'd be amenable to a pay cut, but the 49ers just couldn't keep the $15 million he was due on the roster. We don't think he'll be back for less money, either, particularly with San Francisco in pursuit of free agent Nnamdi Asomugha. Richard Marshall has also been linked to the 49ers. The talent-rich cornerback market seems to be waiting on Asomugha to sign somewhere. Clements will fall in line as a second-tier option.

GM Trent Baalke confirmed that the 49ers have no plans to move CB Nate Clements to safety. "I'm quite confident in the thought process that Nate's a corner," said Baalke. "Could someone envision him playing safety at some point? Certainly. ... But that's not what we're looking at him as." Baalke refused to comment on Clements' contract, which will have to be pared down to return.

The 49ers are not expected to try to convert Nate Clements from cornerback to safety this season. It feels like we go through song and dance his every year. Cornerback is a more valuable position than safety, and Clements was the team's top corner last season. First things first, Clements is going to have to take a massive pay cut from his $17 million cap number. If the sides agree to a reduction -- and the signs say they can -- Clements will return at cornerback.