Bengals Player Profile: Kendall Milton is the main argument for more running backs on Cincinnati’s roster
Kendall Milton was a practice squad call-up that actually got onto the field for Cincinnati’s offense. That’s an achievement on its own for a former UDFA in just his second season.
We’re 65 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. We’re profiling every single player on the Bengals’ 90-man roster by the time the preseason ends and final cuts arrive. Check out previous player profiles here.
Our next player in the series made his NFL debut last year, and is a dark horse to see the field more this season.
Kendall Milton Player Profile
Age: 24
Year: 1st
Position: Running back
College: Georgia
Jersey Number: 36
Kendall Milton was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2024 NFL Draft. Philly waived him during final cuts, and he signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad a few days later. The Bengals signed him to their active roster twice during his rookie season and played him in two games on special teams. He returned to the club on a futures deal and spent almost all of the 2025 season on the practice squad. Cincy elevated him for one game, which was his offensive debut. He rushed the ball twice for two yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11.
Prior to the NFL, Milton spent four years at Georgia. He played in 41 games and amassed 297 carries for 1,839 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.
Contract details
Milton signed a futures deal with the Bengals a month into the offseason. His contract is for one-year, $1,005,000. His base salary, cash figure, and salary cap hit for 2026 is the same $1,005,000 amount.
Roster outlook
Milton was a practice squad call-up that actually got onto the field for Cincinnati’s offense. That’s an achievement on its own for a former UDFA in just his second season. He took a month before officially coming back this offseason, but has an argument for being RB4 on the roster right now. His closest competition is Gary Brightwell, who played in a couple games early last year off the practice squad.
The barrier for Milton isn’t his standing against Brightwell and UDFA rookies Kentrell Bullock and Jamal Haynes. It’s the likelihood of the Bengals keeping more than three tailbacks on the roster. It’s going to take an undeniable preseason from him and any of the others to carry four.
Roster odds: 18%