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The Cincinnati Bengals have announced their 2016 practice squad.
The practice squad will feature the following nine players for now, as the team is holding one spot open to be decided on at a later date.
- DE Ryan Brown (rookie, Mississippi State)
- WR Jake Kumerow (first-year player, Wisconsin-Whitewater)
- CB Darius Hillary (rookie, Wisconsin)
- TE Matt Lengel (first-year player, Eastern Kentucky)
- HB Tra Carson (rookie, Texas A&M)
- DT David Dean (rookie, Virginia)
- G Alex Redmond (rookie, UCLA)
- CB Tony McRae (rookie, North Carolina A&T)
- WR Alonzo Russell (rookie, Toledo)
The Bengals got lucky during final cuts, as every player they waived went unclaimed, thus leaving them able to sign with the practice squad. Combined with a host of talented players across the NFL being cut and clearing waivers this weekend, the Bengals had the chance to build a talented practice squad with a nice mix of players.
But they chose to keep only players that have been with them for at least this past training camp and preseason. All nine players have been here for at least the past month, and Jake Kumerow and Matt Lengel were on the practice squad in 2015.
The rest of the list featured few surprises, as most of these players more than earned their spots on at least the practice squad, if not the 53-man roster. Ryan Brown was one of the best backup defensive lineman this preseason, enough that some called for him to make the final roster over Margus Hunt.
Darius Hillary made a strong push to be the team’s sixth cornerback, but the team ended up carrying just five on the initial roster. Alex Redmond was playing well as a backup offensive guard and center in the preseason before injury sidelined him for the final two games.
As for the 10th and final spot, I would anticipate the team is hoping linebacker P.J. Dawson clears waivers and can be signed there after they surprisingly cut him on Sunday afternoon.
Who do you think should have made or not made the Bengals’ practice squad?