Bengals make necessary roster move following DJ Reader's injury
A few days after losing nose tackle DJ Reader for the season, the Cincinnati Bengals have added to the defensive line room ahead of Week 16. As first reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Bengals have claimed former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Travis Bell off waivers. Bell, a seventh-round pick from the 2023 NFL […]
A few days after losing nose tackle DJ Reader for the season, the Cincinnati Bengals have added to the defensive line room ahead of Week 16.
As first reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Bengals have claimed former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Travis Bell off waivers.
Bell, a seventh-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, was originally selected by the Chicago Bears. Bell spent his first NFL offseason in Chicago and played in all three preseason games. He racked up six stops, two pressures, and a sack in 84 snaps during August.
The Bears cut Bell when finalizing their initial 53-man roster and added him back to the practice squad. He stayed there until the Atlanta Falcons signed him to their active roster on October 31.
Bell played in two games for the Falcons in Weeks 14 and 15, repping 30 snaps in total before getting waived Tuesday. The Bengals placed a waiver claim and were awarded him Wednesday afternoon.
Reader's absence cleared up a spot on the active roster and in the defensive tackle rotation. Bell isn't likely to start in Reader's place, but he does give them another body as the season winds down.
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