Now that we are on the other side of the roster cutdowns, we get to see all of the waiver claims. The Bengals, despite being 31st in the order, were able to come away with three solid additions, in DT Jay Tufele, G Max Scharping, and TE Devin Asiasi.
Tufele was originally a 4th round pick of the Jaguars in 2021. Much of his rookie year was spent on IR, limiting his playing time to only a couple of games. He is someone that I was quite high on during the pre-draft process. Tufele brings a solid combination of athleticism and strength. If he can put it all together, this can be an excellent claim.
Scharping was originally a 2nd round pick of the Texans in 2019. While he has had his ups and downs, Scharping has generally been solid in pass protection. He has plenty of starting experience and can be a good depth piece for the team’s interior.
Asiasi was originally a 3rd round pick of the Patriots in 2020. While he doesn’t have ideal height for a TE, he is a pretty good athlete, and in college, showed the ability to make plays. That said, for the Bengals, he seems more inline to fill in for Mitchell Wilcox, who will end up on IR. Special teams will likely make up a large portion of his role.
The Bengals were able to make three additions from the waiver wire, but they also lost one. WR Kendric Pryor was claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It has been reported that Pryor and Lassiter had walked in together to sign their practice squad deals, before Pryor was informed that the Jags had made a last second claim. It is disappointing to lose Pryor, as he had an excellent preseason. Should things not workout in Jacksonville, it would not be a surprise to see him end up back in Cincinnati.
Today, the Bengals also announced the signing of 14 players to the practice squad. They are as follows:
- QB, Jake Browning
- WR, Kwamie Lassiter
- WR, Trenton Irwin
- TE, Thaddeus Moss
- TE, Nick Bowers
- OT, Devin Cochran
- G, Nate Gilliam
- DE, Raymond Johnson
- DT, Tyler Shelvin
- DT, Domenique Davis
- LB, Keandre Jones
- LB, Tegray Scales
- CB, Marvin Tell
- S, Yusuf Corker
- P, Drue Chrisman
- LS, Cal Adomitis
In additional moves, OT Isaiah Prince, S Tycen Anderson, G Desmond Noel and C Lamont Gaillard have been placed on IR.
As it stands, the following players that spent the offseason with the Bengals have been cut and not retained (the list excludes Kendric Pryor (claimed) and the recent cuts mentioned at the end of this article):
- RB, Jacques Patrick
- TE, Justin Rigg
- TE, Nick Eubanks
- DE, Noah Spence
- DT, Tariqious Tisdale
- LB, Clarence Hicks
- CB, Delonte Hood
- CB, Javaris Davis
- S, Trayvon Henderson
Rounding out the news are a few cuts made today. RB Trayveon Williams has been waived, while QB Brandon Allen and S Michael Thomas have been released. As the roster juggling concludes, Brandon Allen is expected to be signed back to the roster. As for the other two, it remains to be seen. Thomas is a free agent, and the Bengals can sign him back as long as he is available. Williams must pass through waivers. If he does, we may see him resurface on the practice squad.
WR, Mike Thomas, who was released during final cuts, has been re-signed.
UPDATE: Allen, Williams, and Michael Thomas have now been re-signed.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Steve Cheng, Bruin Report Online (CC)