Bengals’ latest roster moves are precautionary steps to best prepare for Week 9 matchup against Bears
Cincinnati is back to 53 players on its roster.
The Cincinnati Bengals have added two more players to their active roster, and both could be needed for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Quarterback Sean Clifford has been signed off the practice squad, and defensive end Cedric Johnson has been activated off the Reserve/Injured list
Clifford had been on the practice squad since Week 3 after Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury required more depth at the QB position. Johnson had been on I.R. since the start of the regular season, but was cleared to practice last week. The reason both players are now on the 53-man roster have to do with injuries at their respective positions.
Sean Clifford becomes emergency backup quarterback if Joe Flacco can’t play
The Bengals don’t know for sure which quarterback will start Sunday against Chicago. Joe Flacco will start if he can play with his AC joint sprain he suffered last week against the New York Jets, but Flacco only practiced once this week and is officially questionable.
Clifford would be the No. 2 QB on the depth chart if Flacco is inactive, or re-injures himself during the game. If Flacco can’t start at all, Jake Browning would be the starter in front of Clifford. Browning took all the practice reps on Wednesday and Friday while Flacco got limited work Thursday.
Clifford last appeared in an NFL game in 2023 with the Green Bay Packers. He logged two appearances that season, with his debut being against the Bears. Both Flacco and Browning would have to be injured, or the game would need to be out of hand for Clifford to play in his third-career game, but it’s now a possibility.
Cedric Johnson’s activation coincides with uncertainty around Trey Hendrickson
Johnson hasn’t played at all this year, but Cincinnati could use the added depth along the edge as Trey Hendrickson is officially doubtful to play this weekend. Hendrickson originally suffered a hip injury back in Week 6 against Green Bay and has missed most of the last two games because of it. He did not practice at all this week.
If Hendrickson can’t play, the trio of Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, and Shemar Stewart would get the majority of snaps at DE, and Cam Sample would be fourth in that rotation. Johnson may end up as a healthy scratch depending on how many other injuries the Bengals need to account for, but his availability is important with Hendrickson still on the mend.
Cincinnati kicks off against Chicago at 1:00 p.m. ET this Sunday at Paycor Stadium. Inactives will be announced 90 minutes prir
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Cincinnati Bengals, as Bengals’ latest roster moves are precautionary steps to best prepare for Week 9 matchup against Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals News
Another Bengals player wants out of Cincinnati, and the timing of his trade request is no accident
The trade deadline is less than a week away.
