Over 30 players for the Cincinnati Bengals are no longer on the team as the initial 53-man has been finalized. Most of them will officially stick around in Cincinnati tomorrow on the practice squad, or they'll end up somewhere else in the league. The team was that strong heading into the season. 

"I've felt like this is the strongest 53 we've had from top to bottom," head coach Zac Taylor said after the cuts were sent in. "If our roster stands pat as it is, we will be very happy with that."

The initial roster looks a bit different compared to how we predicted it would, but a roster is never really set in stone, especially right after cutdown day. Here are the biggest surprises from the Bengals' roster cuts, and what they mean going forward.

Stanley Morgan Jr. getting cut

For the past two years, Morgan has been an absolute staple of Cincinnati's special teams units. He emerged as leader in that area of the team, and it earned him job security despite not having much value as a pure receiver. To see him cut for how much input special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons has on the roster is shocking.

"Tough conversation. Appreciate Stanley and love Stanley," Taylor said. "We’ll continue to see how things shake out the next couple days."

It would surprise no one if Morgan either signs back on the practice squad, or on the active roster following a corresponding injury move. That would likely have to involve edge defender Joseph Ossai, who is reportedly doubtful to play in the season opener with a high ankle sprain.

Trey Hill staying on as 10th offensive lineman

Hill has been the Bengals' backup center for the past two seasons and appeared to lose that spot this month to Max Scharping. Hill ended up playing more snaps at both right and left guard than at center in the preseason and didn't stand out very positively. 

Extra depth along the offensive line is typically good practice, but when it comes at a cost of cutting more deserving players, it becomes questionable. We'll see if Hill stays on following any potential waiver claims on Wednesday. 

Tanner Hudson falling short at tight end

This is the least surprising out of the surprises (if you want to phrase it like that). Hudson was vying for that third tight end spot and came awfully close to snagging it from Mitchell Wilcox, who missed most of training camp on the PUP list. Once Wilcox returned with his special teams experience, Hudson could only do so much to force his way onto the 53. 

Cincinnati's offense doesn't have much use for four tight ends, so Hudson ended up being a victim of a numbers game. He would've undoubtedly made the cut if the decision were based on receiving value, and that's where this sentiment of surprise derives from. 

More goes into these decisions than meets the eye.

Bengals announce roster cuts, initial 53-man roster for 2023 season

Cincinnati’s first version of the 53-man roster has been set.

Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK