Cincinnati Bengals cut 33 players, place two others on IR to create initial version of 2026 53-man roster
The Cincinnati Bengals have trimmed their roster down to 53 players ahead of the 2026 regular season. 33 players have been removed from the team in one way, shape, or form. Two more have been placed on the Reserve/Injured list and will not count against the 53-man roster for the first four weeks of the season.
The Cincinnati Bengals have trimmed their roster down to 53 players ahead of the 2026 regular season.
33 players have been removed from the team in one way, shape, or form. Two more have been placed on the Reserve/Injured list and will not count against the 53-man roster for the first four weeks of the season.
Bengals’ 2026 roster cuts
The Bengals have terminated the contracts of four vested veterans. These players are released to free agency and thus free to sign with another team or to re-sign with the club:
- HB Gary Brightwell
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
- QB Josh Johnson
- S Russ Yeast
Cincinnati has waived 29 players:
- LB Liam Anderson
- S Daijahn Anthony
- G Liam Brown
- HB Kentrel Bullock
- QB Sean Clifford
- OT Andrew Coker
- DT Howard Cross III
- LB Jack Dingle
- DE Isaiah Foskey
- LB Eric Gentry
- TE Cam Grandy
- HB Jamal Haynes
- LB Shaka Heyward
- DT McKinnley Jackson
- DT Jordan Jefferson
- WR Xavier Johnson
- WR Charlie Jones
- OT Christian Jones
- TE Josh Kattus
- CB Jalen Kimber
- CB Bralyn Lux
- CB Matthew McDoom
- HB Kendall Milton
- WR Jordan Moore
- DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
- WR Kendric Pryor
- G Corey Robinson II
- WR Noah Thomas
- WR Mitch Tinsley
Rookie guard Brian Parker II, cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor land on Injured Reserve
Two key players for Cincinnati will not be available to start the year. Brian Parker II, the club’s sixth-round pick from this year’s NFL Draft, has a leg injury. Backup nickelback Ja’Sir Taylor, signed in free agency this offseason, has a hamstring injury. Both will miss at least the first four weeks of the year.
With all that out of the way, here’s what the Bengals look like following roster cuts.
Disclaimer: *indicates a 2026 draft pick
Bengals initial 53-man roster for 2026
Quarterback (2)
Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco
It was going to take something completely unforeseen or an injury for Flacco to not be the backup. Johnson and Clifford played well this month, but this duo was always the duo.
Running back (3)
Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks
Brooks will need to keep developing as the reserve and as a kickoff returner if he wants to see the field. Keeping four was never really in the cards with other positions carrying much more deserving depth.
Wide receiver (6)
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young*, Ke’Shawn Williams, Dohnte Meyers
The first minor surprise was Williams making it over Charlie Jones as the new primary return specialist. That will have him active on Sundays. Meyers likely locked up his spot for certain during Friday’s preseason finale, capping off an incredible offseason for the former CFLer.
Tight end (5)
Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr., Tanner Hudson, Jack Endries*
Five tight ends may seem like a lot, but it’s always been the sensical number for Cincinnati. Endries is too good of a seventh-round rookie to waive. Gesicki operating only as a big slot necessitates extra depth for actual inline blockers.
Offensive line (9)
Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner, Amarius Mims, Javon Foster, Jalen Rivers, Jacob Bayer, Connor Lew*
With Parker on I.R., there’s room for Bayer to crack the roster after an impressive preseason. Foster is still here and that likely means the swing tackle job is his, for now. Rivers is also still hanging around, though he may be inactive with everyone else healthy.
Defensive line (11)
Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, T.J. Slaton Jr., Cashius Howell*, Shemar Stewart, Kris Jenkins Jr., Cedric Johnson, Landon Robinson*
Stewart may not be able to play in Week 1 but he’s not on I.R. right now. That means 11 for the group as a whole with both Jenkins and Robinson making it to backup starting 3-techs Allen and Hill.
Linebacker (4)
Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks, Swayze Bozeman
Giles-Harris or Heyward getting cut makes this a very light position.
Cornerback (6)
DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, Jalen Davis, Tacario Davis*, DJ Ivey, Josh Newton
Newton is hanging on for the time being with Taylor on I.R. He’ll back up Jalen Davis in the slot.
Safety (4)
Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, PJ Jules
Jules ain’t it as a safety but that’s not why he’ll make the team. He’s one of the busiest special teamers and that’s the role of the fourth safety.
Specialist (3)
Evan McPherson, Ryan Rehkow, William Wagner
One FINAL last time: no notes.
