The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t end up making a move at the NFL trade deadline.
But the team did make a roster move the day after, promoting a promising young upstart to the active 53-man roster and signing an outside free agent to the practice squad.
Plus, Joe Burrow won an award, we went long on how the Bengals mismanaged the trade deadline like usual and a bunch of power rankings went live.
As the Bengals prep to take on the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 9, here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for November 2.
At a time it seemed most obvious to buy, especially given some of the asking prices, the Bengals decided to clutch their all-too-important draft picks and go in on the current roster only.
The Bills star QB continues to battle a shoulder injury that actually held him out of practice on Wednesday.
Hendrickson missed practice on Wednesday too. And while it’s not a sign he will miss the game, it’s something to keep an eye on after he left last week’s game after a player stepped on his ankle.
The AFC offensive player of the week, to be exact, for his massive outburst in San Francisco. Plus, some advance numbers show that he’s suddenly torching defenses that send pressure at him again, which is a big problem for other teams.
Everyone’s favorite practice squad tight end is now part of the main roster. And in a corresponding move, the Bengals signed a free-agent linebacker that fans should be very familiar with.
Nate Davis of USA Today has the Bengals back in the top 10 after the win over the 49ers: “They seem to be back, QB Joe Burrow looking quite spry and highly accurate Sunday as Cincinnati won for the fourth time in its past five games. But speaking of four out of five, the Stripes will face Buffalo, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville over the next five weeks.”
One set of rankings points out the Bengals actually left some serious points on the board in what was already a blowout last week: “Getting Tee Higgins and Joe Mixon back in a little groove helped, and Cincy could have scored more, had Irv Smith Jr. not fumbled near the goal line. The Bengals are back, just in time for a huge matchup at home vs. the Bills.”
PFT with a funny, quick and fitting writeup for the Bengals this week: “Here they come.”
Indeed, the Bengals are getting hot at the right time and look like the should threaten for the top five soon: “Sweet Caroline, the Bengals are back. Joe Burrow played as close to a flawless game as he could, throwing only four incompletions and three touchdowns. The Bengals look like their normal selves, and they are getting hot at the right time. Next up- the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.”
