8 players the Cincinnati Bengals will hope to retain on the practice squad including 2024 NFL Draft pick
Cincinnati’s initial practice squad will be established later this week.
When 37 players learn they will not make the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster in the next 24 hours, most of them will start looking for opportunities on other teams around the NFL.
Many of them will also be back in Paycor Stadium just a day later after accepting an invite to join the club’s practice squad.
Cincinnati can have up to 16 practice squad players, 10 of which have no more than two accrued seasons, and there are no restrictions for the other six. Players released or waived from other teams are also eligible to be signed, and there’s a good chance the Bengals take that route for a handful of spots.
As for who’s likely to return after being cut by Cincinnati, the following eight names are the ones to watch out for.
RB Kendall Milton
Milton had a strong ending to the preseason on Saturday with 72 yards on eight carries. He’d probably be the fourth running back if they keep four, but with other positions needing more depth, he’s an ideal fourth to stash on the practice squad. Keep in mind: Milton was signed to last year’s practice squad after he was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles, the club that signed him as an undrafted free agent last year.
WR Isaiah Williams
There was a time when Williams was arguably the favorite to be the sixth wideout to make this team, but Mitchell Tinsley seemed to overtake him officially last week, and now there’s just no room for a seventh in what’s already a deep group. Still, Williams is a capable returner with slot and outside versatility, making him the ideal practice squad receiver.
TE Tanner McLachlan
One of last year’s sixth-round picks, McLachlan just couldn’t get past veteran Tanner Hudson this offseason and is now no higher than fifth on a depth chart of six tight ends. He’s probably sixth behind Cam Grandy, a UDFA from last year. There’s still potential receiver upside for McLachlan, and that is valuable to have with Mike Gesicki and Hudson on the roster.
C Seth McLaughlin
McLaughlin did well to catch up after missing the start of camp on the Non-Football Injury list and spending additional time on the rehab field. He snapped five times in preseason Week 2 and then the entire second half of the Week 3 finale and looked solid in both games. He’s still behind Matt Lee for the backup center gig, but there’s plenty of love for the rookie out of Ohio State, and they’ll want to keep him around for another shot next year.
DE Isaiah Thomas
You really felt like Thomas made a convincing push to be on the roster with two sacks and two tackles for loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. Still, it just confirmed that there are tools here worth keeping around in a lighter capacity. Don’t discount the possibility of him being called up for the regular season opener if Trey Hendrickson doesn’t play or is limited in his first game back.
DT Eric Gregory
Gregory has gone well under the radar during the last few weeks, while Taven Bryan and Howard Cross III have been fighting for what could be the final roster spot on the team. However, Gregory has the size and skill set to develop into a useful rotational player. If Cross misses the cut, he’s virtually guaranteed to be back, and maybe that boots Gregory out of the picture, but stashing both is also a likely scenario.
LB Maema Njongmeta
Njongmeta was one of the best stories from last year’s camp as a rookie UDFA to make the 53, but this year he might be third fiddle to Shaka Heyward and Joe Giles-Harris. Such is life for a reserve without draft status. If both Heyward and Giles-Harris make it through, Njongmeta seems like a guarantee to be back or land somewhere else quickly.
CB Bralyn Lux
Cornerback depth is always needed, and Lux had an underrated preseason as a rookie UDFA. He could be seen as a potential backup nickelback of the future and can develop as needed for the next year to become that.
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