It wasn't a complete surprise that edge defender Raymond Johnson III was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals Tuesday. He was battling for a roster spot that may've not existed in the first place as the sixth edge.

The surprise came a day later when he went unclaimed on waivers and wasn't signed back on the Bengals' practice squad. Johnson actually wasn't signed to any team's practice squad until Thursday when the Detroit Lions stepped in, per Pro Football Network's Jay Morrison. 

No one on the Bengals' defense flashed more this preseason than Johnson, so why didn't the team retain him on the active roster or even the practice squad? The answers are fairly simple.

Why the Bengals cut Raymond Johnson III

Johnson began training camp fighting an uphill battle with at least six players ahead of him at his position. Starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard had a stable group of reserves behind them in Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, Myles Murphy, and Jeff Gunter. Those six are all still in the building with Gunter signed on the practice squad, and the other five on the active roster.

Johnson began attracting the spotlight once camp turned into the preseason. He was outperforming Gunter and appeared to be moving up the depth chart. He ended up with eight pressures, two sacks, six run stops, and the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade out of all qualifying edge defenders around the NFL.

It was clear that Johnson was good enough to make the team, but a path still had to exist for him. That path never materialized even after Joseph Ossai suffered what's reportedly a high ankle sprain. The Bengals kept the five edge defenders that were projected to make the cut from the start of camp, and that number is important when it comes to how many players actually dress on game days. 

Keeping more than five edges not only would've eliminated a roster spot elsewhere, it wouldn't have changed who actually plays. The Bengals typically activate four on game days, and that four to start the year will be Hendrickson, Hubbard, Sample, and Murphy with Ossai recovering for the next month. Even if Ossai were to be placed on Injured Reserve to miss the first four weeks (he still might), Johnson would still be inactive when it counts.

Why isn't Raymond Johnson III on the Bengals' practice squad?

The most logical move would've been to add Johnson back to the 16-man practice squad along with Gunter. If further injuries were to occur, they could simply elevate him or sign him to the active roster, and they could continue developing him. 

This is what the Bengals were likely hoping for, given that they have one open spot on the practice squad left. Unfortunately, a player can't simply be claimed to a practice squad. If a non-vested veteran like Johnson clears waivers, he's free to sign onto any active roster or practice squad he chooses. Quarterback Will Grier happened to chose the Bengals' practice squad.

And Johnson chose the Lions.

Why? Any number of reasons could apply. Perhaps getting cut after such a dominant preseason had Johnson feeling a certain way and decided to take his talents elsewhere. Maybe he believes he has a better chance of seeing the field sooner in Detroit. 

Whatever the case may be, the Bengals would've been fools to not want Johnson to round out their practice squad, but it's a two-way street at the end of the day.

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Featured image via © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports