The Cincinnati Bengals made four roster moves following recent injuries to key players.
1. **Injured Reserve**: The team placed two players on injured reserve:
– **Dax Hill (CB)**: The third-year cornerback suffered a torn ACL during Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
– **Jaxson Kirkland (OL)**: The first-year offensive lineman sustained a torn biceps injury in the same game.
2. **Active Roster Signing**:
– **Andrew Stueber (OT)**: The Bengals signed offensive tackle Andrew Stueber from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. A first-year player from Michigan, Stueber was drafted in the seventh round by the New England Patriots in 2022 and has spent this season on the Falcons’ practice squad.
3. **Practice Squad Signing**:
– **Micah Abraham (CB)**: Cincinnati added cornerback Micah Abraham to their practice squad. A rookie out of Marshall, Abraham was drafted in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts this year but was waived during final cuts. He was not with any NFL team during the first five weeks of the season.
With the Cincinnati Bengals placing cornerback Dax Hill on injured reserve due to his torn ACL, the team will need to make adjustments to their starting lineup at cornerback. Here are the possible options for who could step in as the starter:
### 1. **Cam Taylor-Britt**
– **Position:** Cornerback
– **Role:** Starting outside cornerback
– **Status:** Already starting at one of the outside cornerback positions, Taylor-Britt will continue his role as a key piece of the secondary. He has been solid in coverage and is likely to stay in the starting lineup.
### 2. **Chidobe Awuzie**
– **Position:** Cornerback
– **Role:** Starting outside cornerback
– **Status:** Awuzie, the team’s most experienced cornerback, has returned to action this season after recovering from a torn ACL in 2022. If fully healthy, he will be the primary starter opposite Taylor-Britt. Awuzie’s experience and coverage skills make him a top option.
### 3. **Mike Hilton (Nickel Corner)**
– **Position:** Nickel Cornerback
– **Role:** Starting slot corner
– **Status:** Mike Hilton is the Bengals’ dedicated slot cornerback and will continue to handle duties in the nickel formation. His role won’t change due to Hill’s injury, as he specializes in covering the slot.
### 4. **DJ Turner (Backup/Rotation)**
– **Position:** Cornerback
– **Role:** Backup/Rotation
– **Status:** Turner, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has seen increased playing time. With Hill out, Turner could move up in the depth chart and potentially take on a larger role in the secondary, either rotating in or starting depending on the team’s formation needs.
### 5. **Alan George (Depth)**
– **Position:** Cornerback
– **Role:** Depth/Rotation
– **Status:** As part of the Bengals’ depth at cornerback, George could see more playing time, particularly in sub-packages or as a rotational player to help cover for the loss of Hill.
### 6. **Micah Abraham (Practice Squad Addition)**
– **Position:** Cornerback
– **Role:** Depth/Practice Squad
– **Status:** Abraham, signed to the practice squad after Hill’s injury, is unlikely to be elevated to a starting role immediately but could provide depth in the coming weeks if needed.
### Projected Starting Lineup:
– **Outside Cornerbacks:** Chidobe Awuzie and Cam Taylor-Britt
– **Nickel/Slot Cornerback:** Mike Hilton
– **Backup/Rotation:** DJ Turner
Turner is the most likely candidate to see increased playing time, either as a rotational player or stepping in as a starter in certain formations. The Bengals will likely rely on Awuzie and Taylor-Britt as their primary outside corners.