Bengals Cut 34 To Finalize Active Roster

The Bengals saved the majority of their cuts for the deadline. To get down to 53 players, Cincinnati cut 34 and placed two on injured reserve:

Released:

• RB Gary Brightwell
• LB Joe Giles-Harris
• QB Josh Johnson
• S Russ Yeast

Waived:

• LB Liam Anderson
• S Daijahn Anthony
• G Liam Brown
• RB Kentrel Bullock
• QB Sean Clifford
• T Andrew Coker
• DT Howard Cross III
• LB Jack Dingle
• DE Isaiah Foskey
• LB Eric Gentry
• TE Cam Grandy
• RB Jamal Haynes
• LB Shaka Heyward
• DT McKinnley Jackson
• DT Jordan Jefferson
• WR Xavier Johnson
• WR Charlie Jones
• T Christian Jones
• TE Josh Kattus
• CB Jalen Kimber
• CB Bralyn Lux
• CB Matthew McDoom
• RB Kendall Milton
• WR Jordan Moore
• DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
• WR Kendric Pryor
• G Corey Robinson II
• WR Noah Thomas
• WR Mitchell Tinsley

Placed on IR (designated to return):

• G Brian Parker II
• CB Ja’Sir Taylor

Placed on exempt/left squad list:

• CB Ceyair Wright

The Bengals appear to be confident in Joe Burrow’s health for this season. After releasing the veteran journeyman, Johnson, and waiving Clifford, only veteran Joe Flacco remains in the quarterbacks room with Burrow. Likely, the team will reserve a spot on their practice squad for a passer. One surprise on offense saw Jones get cut. The team’s former return man has housed at least one punt or kickoff in each of his three years with the team.

On defense, Cincinnati has cut Jackson, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M drafted two years ago. Jackson played in 13 games (one start) in his rookie year as a decent part of the defensive line rotation, finishing with 15 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit. In Year 2, his role reduced quite a bit as he only made seven tackles in nine games. Injuries have limited the 24-year-old as he’s missed 12 games in two years. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jackson had drawn some trade interest in the last couple weeks, but with no deal getting done, Jackson will hit the waiver wire.

Wright was placed on the reserve/left team list two weeks ago when it was announced that he would be leaving the training camp to pursue a career in acting. He’s not alone in being absent from Cincinnati’s active roster to start the season. The Bengals didn’t have a single undrafted free agent make the 53-man roster in 2026.