Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is meeting with the linebacker-needy Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Bengals hosted former Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby for a visit Wednesday. The Bengals have a need at outside linebacker, as 2012 starter Manny Lawson signed with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

The 34-year-old Harrison, who was set to make $6.57 million in 2013, was released by the Steelers last month after refusing to take a pay cut. His agent said his client would be open to a return to the Steelers, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the team is not interested in a reunion.

Harrison was meeting with the Baltimore Ravens on the same day Baltimore reached agreement with linebacker Elvis Dumervil, which ended the team's interest in signing him. Otherwise he has received little interest from teams in free agency.

Harrison missed the first three games of the 2012 season with a minor knee injury but was one of Pittsburgh's steadiest performers over the second half of the year. He finished with six sacks, tied for the team lead, and a pair of forced fumbles as the Steelers finished No. 1 in total defense for the fourth time since Harrison became a starter.

He has 64 career sacks and was named The Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after finishing with a career-best 16 sacks.

The Bengals also have a need at safety, and Kerry Rhodes visited the Bengals earlier this week, a source told ESPN. Rhodes was released by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. Chris Crocker, who finished last season as one of the Bengals' starting safeties, is an unrestricted free agent.

The Bengals also have expressed an interest in free-agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who was released by the New York Giants earlier this offseason, according to a source. Bradshaw rushed for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and The Associated Press was used in this report.