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The Bengals placed John Ross III on Injured Reserve yesterday, and are now trying to find a replacement for him.
Today, they are working out free agent wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport:
A day after placing WR John Ross (shoulder) on Injured Reserve, the #Bengals are working out FA WR DaMarkus Lodge, source said. There may be others.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2019
Lodge was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this spring as an undrafted free agent. He stayed with the team throughout the preseason and was cut before the regular season began.
In college, Lodge was a four-year player for Ole Miss, playing with notable receivers Laquon Treadwell, former Bengal Cody Core, A.J. Brown, and D.K. Metcalf. In 2017 and 2018, Lodge finished second in receiving yards for the Rebels. In total, he accumulated 1,790 yards on 122 receptions and 14 touchdowns over the course of his college career.
Interestingly enough, Lodge going to Ole Miss was the reason Bengals wide receiver Damion Willis ended up at Troy.
Ironically, Lodge is the player Ole Miss signed to dash the dreams of Damion Willis and set him on his path to Troy. https://t.co/8PRsXJZ4mt
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) October 3, 2019
There were talks about Lodge potentially getting drafted in the middle rounds this year, but his name never got called. With all their injuries at wide receiver, Cincinnati could give Lodge the opportunity he never got from Tampa Bay or any other team.