Bengals lose offensive lineman in unexpected way right before leaving for Madrid
The Cincinnati Bengals had one of their offensive lineman poached off of the practice squad Wright before they departed for their international game in Madrid, Spain.
The Cincinnati Bengals had one of their offensive lineman poached off of the practice squad Wright before they departed for their international game in Madrid, Spain.
Per The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, The New York Jets signed offensive tackle Blake Freeland to their 53-man roster from Cincinnati’s practice squad. It was a move the club could not prevent.
Freeland is the team’s second practice squad player to be signed to another team this year, joining linebacker Shaka Heyward.
Bengals lose their only practice squad offensive lineman
Freeland was originally signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad at the start of the regular season. His arrival came at a time when the Bengals were trying to figure out its back up swing tackle situation.
So far this year, Javon Foster has filled the swing tackle role. Myles Hinton, a waiver claim from the Philadelphia Eagles, has been a healthy scratch on the active roster for every game.
Cincinnati had two months with Freeland and never elevated him to the roster. That said, he was the Bengals’ lone OL on their practice squad. His departure leaves the club with 10 healthy bodies in the position room. Rookie Brian Parker II is still on the Reserve/Injured list with a knee injury he suffered at the end of the preseason.
With the team now overseas for the week, Cincinnati may wait until the start of next week to fill out its practice squad. Replacing Freeland with another OL is the logical next step.
Bengals’ updated practice squad
Cincinnati is at 15 players on its practice squad.
- QB Josh Johnson
- QB Sean Clifford
- RB Kendall Milton
- RB Kentrel Bullock
- WR Ke’Shawn Williams
- WR Noah Thomas
- WR Jordan Moore
- TE Caden Prieskorn
- DE Isaiah Foskey
- DE Garmon Randolph
- DT Howard Cross III
- LB Emany Johnson
- CB Bralyn Lux
- CB Trikweze Bridges
- S Beau Brade
Upcoming roster moves
The Bengals just placed defensive end Cashius Howell on I.R. Tuesday, freeing up a roster spot in the process. I would expect DE Isaiah Foskey to at least be elevated off the practice squad this weekend, if not signed to the active roster altogether.
Cincinnati may want to leave the roster spot open for a potential trade as well. This could mean Foskey, or Garmon Randolph, will just be a PS elevation.
