Bengals To Waive WR Charlie Jones

Jones is being cut, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. The fourth-year receiver/returner will now be available on the waiver wire. If Jones clears without any claims being made by tomorrow afternoon, he will become a free agent.

Jones has seen sparse usage on offense so far in the NFL. The 27-year-old has been a mainstay on special teams for Cincinnati, however. Jones worked as the Bengals’ primary punt returner as a rookie. For the past two seasons, he has totaled 47 kick returns. The former fourth-rounder has scored one touchdown in each season of his career to date.

Cincinnati’s receiver depth has changed over time, and strong showings from other pass-catchers put Jones under pressure as the summer progressed. Today’s news does not entirely come as a surprise. It also represents another indication that Dohnte Meyers – who was in the CFL last season but drew praise during his latest NFL training camp – will be on the Bengals’ Week 1 roster.

Jones was owed a base salary of $1.15MM for 2026, but that figure will now come off the books. This cut will only result in $170K in dead money charges, since that was the prorated remainder of his signing bonus. Interest from teams looking to upgrade their return units in advance of the 2026 season could look to bring in Jones over the coming days.

The Bengals, meanwhile, will move forward with stability at the top of their WR depth chart and a new face as their top kick returner. Several more cuts will be coming as today’s deadline approaches.