With the preseason over, the Cincinnati Bengals now turn attention to trimming the roster to 53 players before the regular season starts.
We released our final 53-man roster projections after the team’s third and final preseason game, a loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Now it’s time to take a step back and look at the players who just missed the cut. And keep in mind some of these guys are eligible for the practice squad and others could get added back to the 53 once the team moves someone like Joseph Ossai to injured reserve.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Pooka Williams Jr. (36) catches a pass during an OTA practice at the Paul Brown Stadium practice field in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Cincinnati Bengals Ota
We kept four backs on the final roster, but it stinks to lose out on Pooka. He did whatever it took to make the roster, including learning to return kicks and play from the slot. He’s got breakout candidate written all over him, so the Bengals will surely try to stash him on the practice squad in case someone like Trayveon Williams gets hurt.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mike Thomas celebrates after scoring a 4-yard touchdown during the second half of the team’s NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Six wideouts made it through to the final roster but Thomas just missed the cut. It’s just too hard to ignore the big training…
