Domino effect of latest Bengals’ roster move puts intriguing rookie in the heart of a new plan
The Cincinnati Bengals have placed cornerback Jalen Davis on the Reserve/Injured list. The fallout could mean a starting role for third-round pick Tacario Davis.
A busy day of roster shuffling has concluded for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Along with the departure of wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams and the reunion of WR Mitch Tinsley, the Bengals have also placed cornerback Jalen Davis on the Reserve/Injured list. Tight end Tanner Hudson has been signed off the practice squad to take Davis’ roster spot, safeties Isaiah Nwokobia and Beau Brade have been signed to the practice squad.
The biggest development here is Davis heading to I.R. with a hamstring injury. Cincinnati will be without its starting nickelback for at least the next four games. That will require a notable shift in the secondary, which was teased after Davis went down in Week 3.
Tacario Davis primed to become starting cornerback
The Bengals replaced Davis during their 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers by moving starting cornerback Dax Hill into the slot, and bringing on rookie backup CB Tacario Davis to replace Hill on the outside.
This is most likely Cincinnati’s best path forward at both positions with Jalen Davis out.
Hill spent most of last season playing in the slot. He was moved outside when former starter Cam Taylor-Britt suffered a season ending injury. Jalen Davis was the one who replaced Hill in the slot, and his tape from that time starting is what earned him the starting gig this year.
Not only is Hill the Bengals’ best remaining nickelback, Tacario Davis is their best remaining option on the outside. The club’s third round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft showed much promise in both his first training camp and preseason. He took 16 snaps during his first two games before taking 27 snaps last weekend in Pittsburgh.
Before his hamstring injury took him out of the game, Jalen Davis was struggling both in coverage and against the run. The defense as a whole started settling down with Tacario Davis taking on a bigger role. Cincinnati is counting on this new configuration producing better results alongside CB DJ Turner II.
Newfound safety depth may be needed this week
It’s no mystery why the Bengals brought in two new safeties this week. Starter Bryan Cook and backup Kyle Dugger are each dealing with lower body injuries they suffered against the Steelers. It’s not out of the question that both could be inactive for Sunday’s gaming against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nwokobia was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Cincinnati earlier this year. He was waived with an injury settlement in August. Brade was a UDFA signing of the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. He has played in 26 regular season games for both the Ravens and New York Giants.
The Bengal also have Russ Yeast on their practice squad, along with starter Jordan Battle, and backup PJ Jules on the active roster. They now have five healthy options in case either, or both, Cook and Dugger can’t play this week.
