The Bengals have claimed WR Ke’Shawn Williams off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team announced the move on Tuesday.
Williams is a rookie undrafted free agent out of Indiana. He first joined the Steelers following the draft, but was waived during final cuts. After being added to the practice squad, Pittsburgh promoted him to the active roster, before again waiving him the other day.
Thus far into his short career, Williams has 425 kick return yards and 112 punt return yards to his name.
In a move made last week, the Bengals have also signed WR Xavier Johnson to the practice squad.
Johnson, out of Ohio State, was originally a 2024 undrafted free agent signing of the Buffalo Bills. The Bills waived him during final cuts, and he eventually landed with the Houston Texans on their practice squad.
In Houston, Johnson remained on the practice squad for the duration of the season. At the end of it, he signed a reserve/futures deal, but failed to make it through final cuts this past off season. Since then, he had been a free agent before landing a practice squad deal in Cincinnati.
With Jermaine Burton having recently been waived, it is not surprising to see the Bengals add a couple of players at the position. Both will be in depth roles. Williams might see some action on special teams, while Johnson will have to be elevated from the practice squad in order to see the field at any point.
