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Cincinnati Bengals: Who Stays and Who Must Go

By Matthew Willson

Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of Paul Brown Stadium during a preseason NFL football game with the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of Paul Brown Stadium during a preseason NFL football game with the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson (12) scores a touchdown while being defended by Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson (12) scores a touchdown while being defended by Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse (27) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cincinnati Bengals will have to make some tough decisions before 4pm on Saturday, when the NFL deadline for getting to a 53-man roster from a 75-man roster.

The Bengals already dropped from a 90-man roster to a 75-man roster before the August 30th deadline. Now, they must make some even more difficult decisions yet again before the deadline. Who will stay and who will go? We have our  guesses.

Stay: Alex Erickson

Erickson has emerged as the leading candidate for the kick returner position, which became vacant with the cutting of Brandon Tate. Although the decision has yet to become official, special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons told ESPN’s Katherine Terrell:

"“I think Alex earned a spot. He earned the opportunity for that spot. Not that Brandon lost it, but I think Alex earned that spot with his playmaking ability.”"

Alex Erickson is an undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin. He is use to top player around him and fighting to keep not only his job as a walk on at UW. He finished his Badgers career as a second team All-Big Ten honors. He is a fighter, which is something the Bengals seem to find in undrafted free agents.

Cut: Tra Carson

The undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M could be a good practice squad player for the Bengals. He showed some promise against some lower depth talent but struggled to impress. However, he was better than Bronson Hill, who was the other running back vying for a roster spot.

His stats were good, not great, in their final game against the Indianapolis Colts. He had 14 rushes for 42 yars, an average of three yard per carry. Also, Carson posted three catches for 34 yards, which is what showed he could be an asset if they became thin at running back. He could be an asset to this team down the road in depth form.

What is keeping him off this roster is the performance in Jacksonville? He went four yards on eight carries and no receptions on one target. That is something that will harm hurt his upsides.

Next: Who Stays and Who Goes: Part 2

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