Bengals' risk pays off as promising rookie now finds himself on the practice squad after being waived during final cuts

McLaughlin was one of Cincinnati's coveted undrafted free agent signings from this year's class. The former Ohio State starter and Rimington Award winner from the 2024 college football season had draftable grades attached to his scouting report, but a torn Achilles from late in OSU's season ultimately prohibited him from being drafted.

The idea of joining a high-powered offense was McLaughlin's motivation in signing with the Bengals in the first place, and he eventually got a few weeks of practice with the team after he was cleared from his Achilles injury.

McLaughlin could've made a legitimate push to make the 53-man roster had he not missed so much time due to injury, and now that he's healthy enough to play, he could've found another team to join and potentially contribute quicker. Instead, he's back in Cincinnati to develop behind starter Ted Karras and backup Matt Lee. He can be signed off the practice squad to another team's active roster at any point, but the Bengals will get to hang onto him if not.

There's always at least one waived player every years fans are concerned will get claimed by another team. McLaughlin was that player for most of Cincinnati's faithful, but his time missed to injury may've secured his chances of other teams passing on claiming the rookie center. The Bengals know better than any other franchise how his recovery went, and what his health is currently. A practice squad reunion always made sense.

McLaughlin and the rest of the practice squad will now work to help the active roster prepare for the upcoming season-opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 7.