CINCINNATI, OH - The Cincinnati Bengals finalized their 53 with a lean backfield, a five-tight-end room, and a longer, faster secondary. The front office kept working the wire post-cutdown-adding veteran guard depth and reuniting with familiar faces on the practice squad.
The biggest decisions
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Five TEs, three RBs: The Bengals kept Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy, Noah Fant-a clear signal for multiple TE looks and red-zone packages.
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QB room: Joe Burrow and Jake Browning remain the tandem; Cincinnati chose flexibility elsewhere instead of a third QB.
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Trenches trend younger: Rookie DTs Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, and Howard Cross III join vets B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton Jr. to refresh the interior.
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Post-deadline adds: Dalton Risner fortified the interior OL; Noah Fant rounded out TE depth.
Initial 53 (by position)
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QB (2): Joe Burrow, Jake Browning
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RB (3): Tahj Brooks, Chase Brown, Samaje Perine
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WR (6): Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Mitchell Tinsley
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TE (5): Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy, Noah Fant
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OL (9): Orlando Brown Jr. (T), Amarius Mims (T), Cody Ford (T), Lucas Patrick (G), Dylan Fairchild (G), Dalton Risner (G), Jalen Rivers (G), Ted Karras (C), Matt Lee (C)
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DL/EDGE (11): Trey Hendrickson, Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, Shemar Stewart; B.J. Hill, T.J. Slaton Jr., McKinnley Jackson, Kris Jenkins Jr., Howard Cross III, Eric Gregory
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LB (5): Logan Wilson, Oren Burks, Shaka Heyward, Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr.
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DB (10): Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner II, Dax Hill (CB), Marco Wilson, Josh Newton, DJ Ivey; Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson, PJ Jules
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Specialists (3): Evan McPherson (K), Ryan Rehkow (P), William Wagner (LS)
Who was cut (and other moves)
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Terminated (vested vets): Gary Brightwell (HB), Jalen Davis (CB), Joe Giles-Harris (LB)
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Waived: Cal Adomitis (LS), Devin Cochran (OT), Andrew Coker (OT), Caleb Etienne (OT, waived/injured), Raymond Johnson III (DE), Jaylen Key (S), Jaxson Kirkland (G), Bralyn Lux (CB), Jamoi Mayes (WR), Tanner McLachlan (TE, waived/injured), Seth McLaughlin (C), Kendall Milton (HB), Jordan Moore (WR), Maema Njongmeta (LB), Kendric Pryor (WR), Desmond Ridder (QB), Isaiah Thomas (DE), Cordell Volson (G, waived/injured), Isaiah Williams (WR)
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Reserve lists at cutdown: IR: Daijahn Anthony (S), Cedric Johnson (DE). PUP: Erick All Jr. (TE).
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After waivers: McLachlan and Volson reverted to Reserve/Injured.
Practice squad (official)
Gary Brightwell (HB), Andrew Coker (OT), Jalen Davis (CB), Javon Foster (OT), Joe Giles-Harris (LB), Jaxson Kirkland (G), Bralyn Lux (CB), Seth McLaughlin (C), Kendall Milton (HB), Jordan Moore (WR), Maema Njongmeta (LB), Mike Pennel (DT), Brett Rypien (QB), Isaiah Thomas (DE), Isaiah Williams (WR), Russ Yeast (S).
What it means
Cincinnati's roster math tells the story: heavy 12/13-personnel potential, a three-back rotation for game-planning, and a young, stout interior DL to keep the edge rush fresh. Burrow + six WRs preserves verticality, but five TEs hint at more condensed formations, motion, and play-action. Defensively, a 10-DB room gives Lou Anarumo press-man length outside with modular safety packages. Expect weekly elevations from a PS stocked with OL and DB insurance.
