The Bengals announced their initial practice squad on Monday, which had 12 of the maximum 16 positions filled. Now, the team has filled the remaining 4.
The following players have been signed to the practice squad:
QB, Josh Johnson
TE, Tanner Hudson
OT, Blake Freeland
CB, Trikweze Bridges
Johnson and Hudson are returning faces. Johnson struggled in the first preseason game, but turned things around in the next two games to have won the 3rd string position. The only question was if another team would add him to their 53 man roster, but that did not end up happening. The Bengals have also kept Sean Clifford on the practice squad, who was also solid in the preseason, but Johnson will be next up, should both Burrow and Flacco go down.
Hudson was a somewhat surprising release when they needed to make room for Myles Hinton, who was claimed off waivers. It was a little surprising to not see a TE needy team scoop him up on waivers, but he cleared, and the Bengals were able to retain him on the practice squad.
Freeland was originally a 4th round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023. He was someone that was a bit raw coming out of college, but with clear athletic upside. It has been a bit up and down for him, but he comes with starting experience, and I think there is more room to grow. A nice addition for the practice squad.
Bridges rounds out the group. He was originally a 7th round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. They waived him later that offseason, and he ended up in Dallas with the Cowboys, where he appeared in 16 games.
Thumbnail Image Via: Navin Rajagopalan (CC)