A Flurry of Moves for the Cincinnati Bengals as They Bolster Their Depth
Amidst the intensifying NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals have made strategic adjustments to their roster, enhancing their depth with calculated acquisitions. One of the key names making headlines is Gary Brightwell, a former New York Giants running back, who recently joined the Bengals' practice squad.
Brightwell’s journey in the NFL began with the New York Giants, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During his tenure with the Giants, Brightwell carried the ball 41 times, gaining 164 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also contributed through the air with 11 receptions for 92 yards. His promising start, however, faced a hurdle when a hamstring injury in the 2022 season sidelined him, placing him on injured reserve.
The former Giant briefly joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in a training camp earlier this year, further enhancing his experience in the league. Later, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as a practice squad player in late August but was released on October 29, paving the way for his current role with the Bengals.
Brightwell’s addition comes at a time when the Bengals find themselves addressing injuries within their own ranks. Zack Moss, another key running back for the team, is currently dealing with a neck injury and has been placed on injured reserve. This development undoubtedly necessitated the inclusion of additional backfield options, with Brightwell providing the required depth.
Simultaneously, the Bengals have also added Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears to their lineup, further fortifying their running back corps. Such strategic moves underscore the importance of maintaining a well-rounded squad, capable of managing the physical demands of a rigorous NFL season.
In addition to these signings, the Bengals have been exploring other options, including conducting workouts with veteran running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette, a fourth-overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of LSU, has an impressive resume, marked by more than 1,300 scrimmage yards in two separate seasons and a standout year in 2019 with 1,674 scrimmage yards.
Fournette's career has seen its share of transitions. After his release from the Jaguars in the summer of 2020, he played a crucial role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV victory. His professional stats are formidable, including 4,518 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, in addition to 312 receptions for 2,219 yards and seven touchdowns.
Recently, Fournette spent a stint with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad during the previous season, making brief appearances in two games, where he managed 40 yards on 12 carries.
With these recent acquisitions and workout considerations, the Bengals appear committed to ensuring they have a resilient and flexible squad capable of adapting to the challenges that the ongoing season presents. The strategic signing of experienced players like Gary Brightwell and the deliberation of veterans like Leonard Fournette underscore the team's proactive approach in optimizing their roster for current demands and future contingencies.
As the Bengals continue to navigate the ups and downs of an NFL season, these moves reflect a broader trend across the league — the necessity of depth and veteran presence as teams strive for postseason success. Consequently, Cincinnati fans can expect the team to maintain this forward momentum with a lineup built to handle diversity, enriched by the experience and potential of both new and seasoned acquisitions.