Update: The Bengals squeezed in some more workouts at running back due to the Joe Mixon injury. Among the backs Cincinnati worked out include former Steelers backup Fitzgerald Toussaint.
With injury issues at RB, #Bengals worked out RBs Matt Dayes, Thomas Rawls, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Troymaine Pope.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 18, 2018
Toussaint had been with the Steelers for the past three years before being cut. He’s carried the ball just 20 times over the last two years.
Thomas Rawls is a notable name, as he looked like a future star as a rookie with the Seahawks in 2015. However, injuries have plagued him to the point he can’t even hold on to a roster spot.
Matt Dayes is an undrafted free agent out of NC State who spent time in Cleveland before being waived during final roster cuts.
Troymaine Pope is a former Texans running back who appeared in four games from 2016-17 but has just 12 career carries.
I doubt the Bengals sign any of these guys to the 53-man roster if Mixon is only going to miss two weeks, so if one of them is signed, it could mean Mixon will miss a little longer.
The Bengals are kicking the tires on some notable free agents ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Panthers.
According to Howard Blazer, the Bengals worked out five players on Monday, the most notable being former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell.
Bengals tryouts Monday: Ss Quin Blanding, Mike Mitchell; DTs Joshua Frazier, Elijah Qualls; DE Charles Tapper.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) September 17, 2018
Everyone knows how heated the Bengals vs. Steelers rivalry has been, even getting too violent at times, and Mitchell has been a big reason for that. The hard-hitting safety has knocked out several Bengals with concussion-inducing hits, including A.J. Green (2014) and Tyler Eifert (2015).
With the NFL going out of its way to get away from big hits to the helmet and neck area, Mitchell has drawn very little interest since the Steelers parted with him. Still, he’s one of the better defensive backs on the market (not named Eric Reid), so it makes sense to keep an eye on him if a Bengals safety goes down.
Charles Tapper is a 2016 fourth-round pick of the Cowboys. The defensive end has struggled with back issues in the NFL. In training camp of his rookie year, he was diagnosed with a pre-existing back condition (pars defect), which eventually led to him going on injured reserve. He appeared in two games and made one sack in 2017 but was released during final cuts this year. There is concern as to whether he’ll ever play again.
Elijah Qualls is a 2017 sixth-round pick of the Eagles. The defensive tackle appeared in six games as a rookie and made four tackles but was waived during final cuts this year.
Quin Blanding is an undrafted free agent safety out of Virginia who spent time in Washington before being waived during final roster cuts.
Joshua Frazier is an undrafted free agent defensive tackle out of tackle who spent time in Pittsburgh before being waived during final roster cuts.