Bengals announce their initial 2026 practice squad, and there’s one obvious question left to ask
The Cincinnati Bengals have announced the first iteration of their 2026 practice squad, but only 11 players have officially signed. That should be set to change in the coming days.
The Cincinnati Bengals have announced the first iteration of their 2026 practice squad.
The following 11 players have officially signed practice squad contracts Monday:
- HB Kentrel Bullock
- QB Sean Clifford
- DT Howard Cross III
- DE Isaiah Foskey
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
- LB Shaka Heyward
- CB Bralyn Lux
- HB Kendall Milton
- WR Jordan Moore
- WR Noah Thomas
- S Russ Yeast
If this list looks small to you, it’s because it is.
Bengals leave five spots open on practice squad
An NFL practice squad can hold up to 16 players, and an additional member via the International Pathway Program can bump it up to 17.
By the time Cincinnati begins the regular season, it will have a larger practice squad that’s much closer to, or at the 16-man limit.
So why is it at 11? A few reasons could apply.
For starters, this list does not include former Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Garmon Randolph, who is reported to be signing with the Bengals’ practice squad. Randolph was an undrafted free agent signing of L.A. last year and spent the entire 2025 season on the practice squad. He’s the only player so far coming to the practice squad after being waived by another team.
Randolph would bump the list up to 12. Perhaps at least one more is reserved for a player from another team who’s still weighing his options. Maybe another is for someone whom they just cut and is also mulling other offers.
Then there’s the guy they just let go.
Tanner Hudson is a prime candidate to return
The Bengals released tight end Tanner Hudson Monday in order to fit offensive tackle Myles Hinton on the roster as their sole waiver claim following roster cuts. Hudson is a vested veteran and is hitting free agency immediately, which means he’s not subjected to waivers and is free to sign anywhere.
Including his former team’s practice squad.
Hudson was originally signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad near the end of the 2022 season. He’s stuck with the club ever since. Now at 31-years-old, he may feel most useful in the scheme and building he knows more than any. There could be a handshake deal to get him back in the locker room.
Randolph and Hudson joining would still leave three spots open. It would be shocking for the Bengals to stay at an 11-man practice squad leading up to Week 1. It behooves them to have as many players in the building as possible, especially with two currently on the Reserve/Injured list. I expect more moves to come shortly.
