CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals worked out three defensive linemen today and signed two of them, defensive end Andre Carter and defensive tackle Joshua Pryor.
The moves are related to the loss of defensive end Cam Sample, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last week and was placed on injured reserve today.
While the Bengals only needed to clear one spot on the roster for Carter and Pryor, they waived two undrafted college free agents — punter Austin McNamara and wide receiver Tre Mosley.
Bengals Add Some Clarity to Punter Battle
Carter is an undrafted free agent out of Indiana who originally signed with Jacksonville. However, the Jaguars waived him on July 31.
Pryor is a second-year player out of Bowie State. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders in 2023 and appeared in seven games. Washington waived him in May, though.
In addition to the Sample injury, the Bengals are dealing with multiple other defensive linemen missing time, including starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, who head coach Zac Taylor said are week to week.
Rookie third-round defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, meanwhile, left Monday’s practice with a lower leg injury.
Defensive tackles Jay Tufele and Domenique Davis haven’t practiced in more than a week, and free agent addition Sheldon Rankins has missed three practices in a row.
Defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since reporting to camp.
The release of McNamara, whom the Bengals signed out of Texas Tech right after the draft, adds some clarity to the punter battle.
The Bengals added Ryan Rehkow a few days into the start of camp, making it a three-man race. Rehkow has been impressive in practices and will continue to battle incumbent Brad Robbins, the team’s sixth-round pick in 2023, for the job.
Both punters are expected to see action Saturday night in the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mosley was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State who struggled to earn reps through the first two weeks of training camp.
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