Why the Bengals Are Adding a Veteran Quarterback to the Practice Squad

The Cincinnati Bengals are adding former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier to their practice squad. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bengals Add Will Grier to Their Practice Squad

Grier gives the Bengals more depth at quarterback with Joe Burrow recovering from a calf strain that has kept him out since July 27, and Jake Browning, who has never taken a snap in a regular-season game, beating out Trevor Siemian for the No. 2 job.

Siemian told the team he would not be interested in being on the practice squad, leaving Reid Sinnett as the only other option. The Bengals signed Sinnett, who also has never appeared in a regular-season game, as a camp arm after Burrow went down.

Grier started the final two games of 2019 for the Carolina Panthers, going 28 of 52 for 228 yards with four interceptions. He was injured early in the second quarter of the season finale and did not return.

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Over the weekend, Grier checked the “loves football” box the Bengals coaches are always looking for when he was asked to play the entire preseason finale against the Raiders, even though he had been informed he was going to be cut after the Cowboys traded for Trey Lance.

Grier led the Cowboys to a 31-16 victory against the Raiders while completing 29 of 35 for 305 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 53 yards and two more scores, prompting Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to call it the best preseason performance he’s seen this century.

While Browning outplayed Siemian in camp and the preseason, he still led only two touchdown drives in 12 possessions.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor offered a “we’ll see” when asked if Burrow will return to practice this week. The team will hold practices today and Thursday and then take the holiday weekend off before reconvening Monday to begin full preparations for the season opener in Cleveland.