NFL roster cuts: Bengals expected to sign DeShawn Williams to practice squad

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to sign DeShawn Williams to the practice squad, according to Alex Marvez.

Williams made it through waivers on Sunday after the Bengals cut him on Saturday.

Williams was on the Bengals’ 53-man roster for much of 2016 and the practice squad for all of 2015.

Williams has been a preseason all-star for the Bengals ever since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2015. He was easily one of the best defensive linemen in the 2015 preseason for Cincinnati, especially when it came to his ability to get pressure up the middle. However, the Bengals were already too deep with guys like Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Pat Sims and Brandon Thompson taking up roster spots. This year, Williams got pushed out of the way at defensive tackle due to the return of Andrew Billings (who spent 2016 on Injured Reserve) as well as the emergence of rookie Ryan Glasgow.

In 4 games played in 2016, Williams had 1 tackle and .5 sacks.

Williams is a good interior pass-rusher, but that’s also the specialty of Glasgow, who the Bengals drafted this year. Glasgow had an impressive preseason, which allowed the Bengals to keep him over Williams on the 53-man roster.

Williams was fighting among a crowded group of defensive linemen to make the Bengals’ 53-man roster this year. He has been loyal to the Bengals, having an opportunity to join the New Orleans Saints in his rookie year, but declining in order to stay with the Bengals on their practice squad that season. He then made the roster in 2016, though he was often inactive on gamedays. It’s possible Williams could be moved up the 53-man roster at some point, but for now, he’ll be on the practice squad.