Familiar face just became available for the Cincinnati Bengals to fortify an overlooked roster hole
The Cincinnati Bengals have seven running backs on their roster. At this rate more will be cut than kept during final cuts, and the initial group may contain a player or two, not currently on the team. Khalil Herbert could now be brought back to help out.
The Cincinnati Bengals have seven running backs on their roster. At this rate more will be cut than kept during final cuts, and the initial group may contain a player or two, not currently on the team.
Life is good with Chase Brown and Samaje Perine leading the charge. Behind them, however, lies a lot more concern. Last year’s sixth-round pick Tahj Brooks had an underwhelming first preseason game after a very mundane rookie season. Gary Brightwell and Kendall Milton are the same practice squad players they have been, and undrafted rookies Kentrel Bullock and Jamal Haynes aren’t doing much to separate themselves either.
It may not be the most pressing need, but depth at RB should be a relatively simple problem to solve over the next two weeks. There is plenty of talent at the position that is expendable around the league. A potential solution with a familiar name has already been made available for Cincinnati to pounce.
Khalil Herbert can now come back to the Bengals
If the Bengals want a tailback they can trust to help fortify the position, Khalil Herbert is back on the market to be signed. The San Francisco 49ers, who signed Herbert on Aug. 2, released him Monday afternoon.
Cincinnati traded a seventh-round pick for Herbert during the 2024 season leading up to the trade deadline that year. It was the first time in a while the Bengals sacrificed a draft pick for a player without getting a player or a pick in return as part of the deal.
Herbert was needed at the time due to Zach Moss’ season-ending injury. He became Brown’s backup for the second half of the year, rushing for 114 yards on 28 carries (4.1 average). He was not re-signed in the 2025 offseason, and he spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and eventually the New York Jets. San Fran was the first team to sign him this year.
The Bengals brought back Perine last year when they were in need of a reliable RB2. If Brooks cannot solidify himself as the rightful RB3, it stands to reason another player who was here before him maybe the better option.
Herbert should be one of several quality ballcarriers available for Cincinnati to add following roster cuts. Just don’t count out a familiar name if the club decides an external option is in its best interest.
