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As expected, the Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back defensive tackle DeShawn Williams.
The defensive tackle was the unfortunate victim of the Bengals needing a roster spot for an extra long-snapper last week, as he was waived in order to make room for Tyler Ott prior to Sunday's game vs the Ravens.
But it was almost a lock Cincinnati would re-sign him to the practice squad or roster if he cleared waivers on Monday, which he did, and now he's back with the Bengals, according to his agent.
Congrats to #PSMGClient DT DeShawn Williams @BigNuk_99 on re-signing to the @Bengals 53-man roster! #whodey pic.twitter.com/Z05hRLyXcP
— Precision Sports (@PrecisionSport_) November 28, 2016
The Bengals have placed cornerback Chykie Brown on Injured Reserve to make space to re-sign Williams. Brown suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury during Sunday's loss in Baltimore. Brown underwent an MRI today, and the results have yet to be announced.
Sadly, it looked like a pretty serious as he was carted off the field after being down on the ground for quite some time.
As for Williams, he's a first-year player who joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson last year. He has been a gameday inactive for all 10 games this season that he was on the roster, but the Bengals like his potential as a backup defensive tackle behind Geno Atkins, as well as being a capable pass-rusher on passing downs.
We've not seen that this year with Margus Hunt getting a lot of those snaps on passing downs, but Cincinnati still wants to keep Williams in hopes of finding a role for him in the future. Williams spent all of 2015 on the Bengals' practice squad and was even offered a chance to join the Saints, but stayed in Cincinnati.
One does have to wonder what this means for veteran defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, who is back practicing and could be activated to the 53-man roster at some point in the coming two weeks. He just came off the Physically Unable to Perform list last week and has 15 more days to be activated to the 53-man roster, go on I.R., or get cut.
Regardless of what happens there, it's good to see the Bengals hung onto Williams. He's a good talent who could soon find a role on this aging defensive line, even if it's not until next year.