Former Bengals player finds himself on a playoff team after being out of the NFL just one month ago
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson has been on several other NFL clubs since his time with the Bengals ended in 2021, but he's never been on a playoff roster in his nine-year career. He's one step closer to changing that. Erickson, who was out of the NFL exactly one month ago, has been […]
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson has been on several other NFL clubs since his time with the Bengals ended in 2021, but he's never been on a playoff roster in his nine-year career.
He's one step closer to changing that.
Erickson, who was out of the NFL exactly one month ago, has been signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad days before his new team plays against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
As NFL Media's Tom Pelissero points out, a spot for Erickson became available once Jared Wayne was signed to the Texans' active roster after Diontae Johnson was waived. Johnson was claimed by the Texans last month after his short tenure with the Baltimore Ravens ended.
Erickson was completely out of the NFL before the New England Patriots signed him to the practice squad on December 18. His contract in New England expired this week, freeing him up to join a team still alive in the postseason.
The Bengals originally signed Erickson as a college free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft. He made the roster as a rookie by earning kickoff returner duties and stuck with the team for five years. He returned 135 kickoffs for 1,074 yards in 80 total games for Cincinnati. His rookie season ended up being his best year as he led the league in kickoff return yards with 810. As a receiver, he tallied 93 receptions for 1,086 yards and a touchdown on 143 targets.
Erickson entered free agency for the first time in 2021 and signed a one-year deal with the Texans but was released before the regular season. He was picked up by the Carolina Panthers and played 17 games for them that year. He began the 2022 season on the Washington Commanders' practice squad and played two games for them that year. The Los Angeles Chargers signed him to the practice squad at the start of the 2023 season and eventually signed him to the active roster for the final six games of the year.
It's unlikely that Erickson will be elevated to the active roster for Saturday's game in Kansas City, but he'll be practicing with a team in the postseason for the first time in his career.
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