Cincinnati made the necessary moves today to trim its roster down to 53 players. While some may find themselves back in the striped helmet Wednesday, many will have to clear waivers before being announced to the 16-man practice squad. Here are the moves made today to get down to the 53-man roster:
Released:
- S Trayvon Henderson
- DE Noah Spence
- WR Mike Thomas
Waived:
- LS Cal Adomitis
- QB Jake Browning
- P Drue Chrisman
- T Devin Cochran
- DT Domenique Davis
- TE Nick Eubanks
- G Nate Gilliam
- LB Clarence Hicks
- CB Delonte Hood
- WR Trenton Irwin
- DE Raymond Johnson III
- LB Keandre Jones
- WR Kwamie Lassiter II
- TE Thaddeus Moss
- RB Jacques Patrick
- WR Kendric Pryor
- TE Justin Rigg
- LB Tegray Scales
- DT Tyler Shelvin
- DT Tariqious Tisdale
Waived/injured:
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
- LB Joe Bachie
The defending AFC champions are looking to run it back with much of the same roster as last year. Thirty-eight of this year’s 53-man roster were on last year’s Super Bowl roster, with the differences coming on offensive line and at the bottom of the depth chart.
Additionally, it appears all six 2022 draft picks made the roster for the Bengals, as well as one undrafted rookie signing. With so many starters returning from the Super Bowl team, all the rookies will be expected to contribute in backup roles. First- and second-round defensive backs Daxton Hill and Cam Taylor-Britt figure to factor heavily into the defensive rotation, though. Also in the secondary, cornerback Allan George is the lone UDFA from this year’s crop to make Cincinnati’s final roster.
To call it the final roster is a bit misleading as the Bengals will likely follow their own trends from last season, setting the roster up for multiple post-deadline moves. The roster currently includes 11 defensive backs, not including starting safety Jessie Bates, working currently on a roster exemption. Taylor-Britt could likely find his way to the four-week injured reserve list after undergoing core surgery recently. Defensive end Khalid Kareem will join Taylor-Britt on short-term IR, according to head coach Zac Taylor, with a hamstring injury.
Many expect Cincinnati to mirror a roster move from last year with wide receiver Thomas. Thomas is a vested veteran who will avoid the waiver wire and is expected to re-sign with the team after a corresponding roster move, exactly what he did last year.
Finally, two position battles have been effectively decided with the waiving of long snapper Adomitis and punter Chrisman. Both intended to challenge incumbents Clark Harris and Kevin Huber from their long-time starting jobs. After avoiding being unseated, Huber is now on track to set a franchise record for games played in a Bengals uniform. Harris is close behind, trailing Huber by just six games.
The Bengals messed up with their decision at punter. People on the outside can spew whatever ignorant narrative they chose about the organization..but they are loyal to a fault. Keeping Huber is a perfect example of this. Chrisman is currently the better punter, and getting better every day. Huber had some very good years but is well past them, and he’s deteriorating every day. However he’s about to set the most games played in franchise history record, so he’ll get another year. To the detriment of the team. It’s stupid. Whoever signs Chrisman is getting a hell of a punter. Also, Jackson Carman is a fat lazy joke and he should have been cut.
You’re a fun, happy guy. They played in the Super Bowl last year and got better in the off-season. You’re angry about a punter and a backup lineman. Relax homie
No, chrisman is not the better punter. The punters #1 job is to reduce the possibility of return. Chrisman had problems with this dating back to college. You can’t just look at punting average and say 1 guy won. There is a lot of nuance and Huber is still excellent as a holder and a very good directional punter. Now it is almost assuredly Huber’s last year here, but this was the right call.