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The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed DT Josh Tupou to a one-year contract, the team announced Friday. Tupou signed the restricted free agent tender the Bengals extended to him on March 16.
A fourth-year player in 2020, Tupou originally was a Bengals college free agent signee in 2017 out of Colorado. He has played in 23 career games (7 starts) with 36 tackles and a forced fumble.
Looking ahead, the 6-4, 345-pound mammoth figures to remain a backup in 2020 with D.J. Reader and Geno Atkins set to start at the two defensive tackle spots. Tupou’s roster spot is fairly secure, though, as he’s proven to be a very valuable body in the middle of the trenches that makes it harder for opposing teams to run up the middle of Cincinnati’s defense. His 73.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2019 was one of the best marks any Bengals defender earned.
Tupou will still have to battle Ryan Glasgow and Renell Wren for playing time, though Tupou has easily been the most consistent of that group.