Bengals unexpectedly rip off a band-aid in order to make their expected roster moves
There will be some changing of the guard for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line this week as personnel changes have now become official.Cincinnati has officially activated both rookie defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and second-year edge defender Myles Murphy to the 53-man roster. In order to make room for both, the club has also waived third-year […]
There will be some changing of the guard for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line this week as personnel changes have now become official.
Cincinnati has officially activated both rookie defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and second-year edge defender Myles Murphy to the 53-man roster. In order to make room for both, the club has also waived third-year defensive tackle Zach Carter.
The moves for Jackson and Murphy were inevitable. Each player practiced all week and are vitally needed for this week's AFC North matchup against the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens. A corresponding move was necessary to fit both of them back in the plans, and the defensive tackle position was a bit too large with Jackson becoming the seventh on the roster.
Carter ended up being the odd-man out of the group. When looking at how much he's played this season, this feels like a surprise. When looking at the big picture, it's clear why he was the one to cut free.
Bengals rip the band-aid off with Zach Carter
Carter was the Bengals' third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has done virtually nothing to live up to that billing in over two years. He was drafted the same year the team lost Larry Ogunjobi in free agency. Coincidentally, Ogunjobi's impact as a pass-rusher has yet to be properly replaced.
That was supposed to be Carter, and he's been nothing of the sort.
Due to hamstring injuries for both Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill, Carter emerged as a starting defensive tackle over the past two games and played the most snaps out of any defensive tackle on the team. He primarily played the 3-technique spot, which positioned himself for several pass-rushing chances for a team that desperately needed help there.
Carter currently boasts a 0.0% pass rush win rate according to Pro Football Focus, and he's had more snaps against the pass than any of his peers.
There's been no one worse at rushing the passer for defensive tackles this year than Carter, and his elevation to starter only made him worse.
Year three is usually when early draft picks hit their stride if they haven't already. Carter received plenty of development over the course of over two years and a total of 1,112 snaps (566 against the pass) since his rookie season.
He had only two sacks and 20 pressures to show for it all. That's not going to cut it.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made a point this week that "poor play can't be tolerated by anybody.” His response was to a question about Cam Taylor-Britt, but it applies perfectly for Carter as well. And if Rankins were healthy, he may've already been gone.
Carter's snaps will mostly be taken by Hill, but opportunities will also be there for Jackson behind Jay Tufele and Lawrence Guy Sr. Kris Jenkins Jr. is also expected to see a bump in playing time, giving the Bengals, potentially, a semi-competent defensive tackle group for this weekend.
The Bengals gave Carter one last chance when their depth was strikingly low. Now that reinforcements have arrived, they cut loose a clear liability right before the biggest game of the season. They also waived 2023 sixth-round pick Brad Robbins right after he returned from the Reserve/Injured list, knowing he couldn't compete with how well Ryan Rehkow has punted in his absence.
Such is life in the NFL.
Bengals vs Ravens NFL Week 5 Broadcast Map: Will you be able to watch on TV?
AFC North football returns to Cincinnati.
