Bengals put in waiver claim for DL Teair Tart before Texans secured him
A season-ending injury for nose tackle DJ Reader is bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals, and they attempted to make the situation better earlier this week.The Bengals were one of three teams to put in a waiver claim for former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Teair Tart. The Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns were the other […]
A season-ending injury for nose tackle DJ Reader is bad news for the Cincinnati Bengals, and they attempted to make the situation better earlier this week.
The Bengals were one of three teams to put in a waiver claim for former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Teair Tart. The Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns were the other two, according to ESPN's Field Yates, and the Texans were awarded him due to being higher in the waiver order.
The Bengals don't often put in waiver claims unless situations like these occur, but they were also very familiar with Tart's game. In Week 4, Tart had his best pass-rushing performance of the season during Tennessee's 27-3 shellacking of the Bengals, registering four total pressures and three hits on quarterback Joe Burrow.
Tart hasn't had another game like that all season for the Titans, which explains why he was waived by the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent four years ago.
Putting in a claim for Tart indicates that the Bengals would've preferred other options rather than the remaining depth they have at the defensive tackle position. They currently have B.J. Hill, Zach Carter, Josh Tupou, and Jay Tufele on the roster and another on the practice squad in preseason standout Domenique Davis.
After placing Reader and cornerback DJ Ivey on the Reserve/Injured list Monday afternoon, the Bengals have two open roster spots to fill. They could sign another available defensive tackle, or simply elevate or sign Davis from the practice squad.
Bengals get the tables turned on them with latest injury news
Optimism has now turned to skepticism.
