Bengals Reach 53-Man Roster With Lingering Questions
By Emile Pierce
The Cincinnati Bengals made the cut to a 53-man roster. As attention turns to Week 1 and the New York Jets, there are still a few questions.
The Cincinnati Bengals were able to slice their roster to the 53-man limit. As the 4 p.m. deadline approached, there was wide speculation as to who would remain in Orange and Black for 2016. There were some surprises and definitely questionable moves. But, the deal is done. Cedric Peerman or William Jackson III could possibly return later in the year. More moves could be made to open up spots for them.Â
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By moving Peerman and Jackson to injured reserve, the door will be open for one of them to return after Week 8. Peerman underwent surgery on his arm on Thursday morning. The Bengals will have to decide if there’s a chance he’ll be back. Jackson suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
The plan may be to put both on IR and decide who’s the healthiest. Head coach Marvin Lewis explained the reasoning.
"“We feel that William Jackson and Ced Peerman, from what we’ve been told, have an opportunity to possibly at some point be able to come back this football season. So, we’re going to try to keep that avenue open, at least that option open for us.”"
Amid the moves to make 53, there are still questions about Week 1. The New York Jets are eight days away and there are still a few nagging injuries. Cedric Ogbuehi (toe) and Jake Fisher (knee) are still nursing wounds. With Tyler Eifert not expected to play until at least Week 6, that leaves a hole at tight end. The Bengals waived first-year player Matt Lengel.
The List
Tyler Kroft has been making progress and has been seen on the rehab field. The Bengals must be expecting him to make a Week 1 appearance.Â
There are still moves that can be made to strengthen the roster. But, as for now, here is the list of players cut.
FB Andrew Bonnet (North Dakota State)
CB Chykie Brown (fifth-year player, Texas)
DE Ryan Brown (Mississippi State)
HB Tra Carson (Texas A&M)
C Alex Cooper (Houston)
DT David Dean (Virginia)
OT Aaron Epps (Louisville)
HB Bronson Hill (Eastern Michigan)
CB Darius Hillary (Wisconsin)
G Trey Hopkins (Texas)
WR Jake Kumerow (first-year player, Wisconsin-Whitewater)
TE Matt Lengel (first-year player, Eastern Kentucky)
CB Tony McRae (rookie, North Carolina A&T)
G Alex Redmond (UCLA)
WR Alonzo Russell (Toledo)
WR Rashaun Simonise (Calgary)
G Trip Thurman (rookie, Florida)
OT John Weidenaar (Montana State)
QB Keith Wenning (first-year player, Ball State)