Bengals To Limit Tyler Eifert's Snaps
Despite being one of the NFL’s biggest injury risks, Tyler Eifert returned to the Bengals this offseason. The team that used a first-round pick on the former Notre Dame tight end has a plan for trying to prevent another significant setback, though. The Bengals are going to try to limit Eifert’s snaps, Marvin Lewis said (via Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Since Eifert’s Pro Bowl 2015 season, he’s played in only 11 games. With Eifert being most effective in the red zone (20 career touchdown receptions, 19 from inside the 20, per Dehner), that will surely be a place the Bengals try to deploy the sixth-year pass-catcher. But Lewis identifies Eifert as the team’s best blocking tight end, too. Eifert averaged 58 snaps per game during the 2015 season. Lewis doesn’t envision his starting tight end getting there again.
This plan may limit Eifert financially. He has $3MM tied up in performance incentives, ones that will become difficult to reach if the Bengals place heavy restrictions on his usage. He played 23 snaps against the Colts.
Details On Erickson Extension
- It was reported earleir the Bengals had signed receiver Alex Erickson to an extension, and now the details are in. It’s a two-year deal for Erickson, worth $4.68MM plus incentives according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Bengals Extend WR Alex Erickson
Alex Erickson is sticking around Cincinnati through the 2020 season. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports (via Twitter) that the Bengals have signed the wideout/returner to a two-year extension.
The former undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin joined the Bengals as a rookie back in 2016. He’s served mostly as a special teamer during his first two seasons in the league, returning 61 kicks (24.1-yard average) and 67 punts (7.1-yard average).
While his averages aren’t bad, the 25-year-old has compiled a dreadful 10 fumbles in two years, including seven while returning punts. Still, the Bengals continue to go back to him as a returner, as he’s slotted in as both the punt and kick returner in 2018.
Perhaps the team sees Erickson eventually working his way into an offensive role. He showed improvements last season, hauling in 12 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown. He also added another five carries for 16 yards. He’s currently listed as the fifth wideout behind A.J. Green, John Ross, Josh Malone, and Tyler Boyd.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/18
Here are Thursday’s minor moves.
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted to active roster: LS Jeff Overbaugh
- Waived: LB Richard Jarvis
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from injured reserve: OL Jeremiah Sirles
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived from injured reserve: DT Chris Okoye, DB Josh Shaw
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: LB Manase Hungalu
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Mack Hollins
Bengals To Re-Sign DE Michael Johnson
The Bengals will re-sign defensive end Michael Johnson after releasing him on Saturday, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. It’s a one-year deal for Johnson, who was not forced to accept a pay cut from his previous salary.
Johnson had been a Bengals starter in five of the past six seasons, but third-round selections of Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson last year — along with 2018 third-rounder Sam Hubbard — made the 31-year-old talent a less important commodity. Johnson registered five sacks last season and has 44 in his career.
Now that he’s back in the fold, Johnson is likely to see action at both defensive end and tackle, the latter in nickel situations.
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC North teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, and Steelers are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
Practice squad:
- T Randin Cornelius
- RB Gus Edwards
- DE Myles Humphrey
- G Nico Siragusa
- RB De’Lance Turner
- WR Tim White
- RB Christopher Ezeala*
- TE Darren Waller**
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed:
Practice squad:
- TE Moritz Bohringer*
- DT Andrew Brown
- RB Quinton Flowers
- TE Jordan Franks
- CB C.J. Goodwin
- QB Christian Hackenberg
- C Brad Lundblade
- T Kent Perkins
- CB KeiVarae Russell
- WR Kermit Whitfield
- LB Chris Worley
Cleveland Browns
Claimed:
- DL Carl Davis
- OL Aaron Neary
- DL Ifeadi Odenigbo
- DB Tavierre Thomas
- LB Tanner Vallejo
Cut:
- DL Jamie Meder
- DL Carl Nassib
- LB Jermaine Grace
- DB Jeremiah McKinnon
- C Austin Reiter
Pittsburgh Steelers
Practice squad:
- LB Keion Adams
- CB Brian Allen
- RB Jarvion Franklin
- WR Trey Griffey
- TE Bucky Hodges
- DE Lavon Hooks
- LB Farrington Huuenin
- WR Tevin Jones
- C Patrick Morris
- OL R.J. Prince
- TE Christian Scotland-Williamson*
* = international player
** = practice squad exception
Bengals Sign Christian Hackenberg To PS
The Bengals have signed quarterback Christian Hackenberg to their practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Cincinnati opted to keep Jeff Driskel as Andy Dalton‘s backup after veteran Matt Barkley was placed on injured reserve. Given that the Bengals are only keeping two quarterbacks on their active roster, Hackenberg will serve as the club’s de facto No. 3. He’ll reunite with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, with whom he’s reportedly close, per Garafolo.
Hackenberg, a former second-round pick, has bounced between the Jets, Raiders, and Eagles this offseason. He’s still yet to attempt a pass in the NFL.
Contract Details: OBJ, Mason, Bengals
We have already learned a fair amount about the details of Odell Beckham Jr.‘s new mega-deal with the Giants, but Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv passes along some important information about OBJ’s cap hits. While his contract will provide New York with $3MM of cap relief in 2018, Beckham’s cap number balloons to $21MM in 2019 and will be between $15MM and $19.75MM from 2020 to 2023.
In 2019, then, the Giants could be devoting half of their cap space to just five players, and they are projected to have just $12MM in cap room in 2019 at the moment. That number will increase with several easy cuts and restructures, but Beckham’s contract will force the club to make a few difficult decisions, which Vacchiano explores in greater detail.
Now let’s take a look at a few more notes on recently-signed contracts:
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that Shaq Mason‘s extension with the Patriots includes $45MM in new money, a $12MM signing bonus, and $5MM in incentives. He also provides a breakdown of Mason’s guarantees, base salaries, and cap numbers (Twitter links).
- Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Geno Atkins‘ extension with the Bengals includes a $13MM signing bonus, which is part of $17MM in guaranteed money. Atkins is also eligible for up to $500K per year in per game active bonuses and workout bonuses. Carlos Dunlap‘s new deal with Cincinnati, meanwhile, features $18MM in guarantees and several sacks escalators. Owczarski also provides the base salaries for both players.
- Greg Mancz‘s two-year extension with the Texans, which kicks in after the 2018 season, is worth $6MM in total, per NFL insider Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
Bengals Trim Roster To 53
For the time being at least, Michael Johnson will not be part of the Bengals’ 53-man roster. The longtime starting defensive end does not appear among Cincinnati’s regular-season contingent, signalling a changing of the guard opposite Carlos Dunlap.
While Johnson could well return, with Cincinnati.com’s Paul Dehner Jr. tweeting this is a possibility because of the team trying to protect as many young players from the waiver wire as possible, he’s again off the roster. Johnson spent a year with the Buccaneers in 2014 but returned to Cincinnati a year later.
He’s been a Bengals starter in five of the past six seasons, but third-round selections of Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson last year — along with 2018 third-rounder Sam Hubbard — made the 31-year-old talent a less important commodity. Johnson registered five sacks last season and has 44 in his career.
As for the rest of the Bengals’ cuts, here are the other players who aren’t on the 53-man roster.
Released as vested veterans:
- TE Ryan Hewitt
- C T.J. Johnson
Waived:
- LB Brandon Bell
- DB Tyrice Beverette
- TE Moritz Bohringer
- WR Devonte Boyd
- DT Andrew Brown
- K Jonathan Brown
- RB Quinton Flowers
- TE Jordan Franks
- CB C.J. Goodwin
- RB Brian Hill
- LB Junior Joseph
- C Brad Lundblade
- WR Jared Murphy
- T Justin Murray
- T Kent Perkins
- DT Simeyon Robinson
- WR Kayaune Ross
- CB KeiVarae Russell
- WR Ka’Raun White
- WR Kermit Whitfield
- DT Eddy Wilson
- QB Logan Woodside
- LB Chris Worley
Placed on IR:
The placement of Barkley on IR and the waiving of Woodside leaves Jeff Driskel as the Bengals’ only Andy Dalton backup. It would be logical if the Bengals examined the waiver wire this weekend for a possible signal-caller addition.
Matt Barkley Has MCL Sprain
Matt Barkley suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain in Thursday night’s preseason game, which could end the veteran quarterback’s chance to serve as the Bengals‘ No. 2 signal-caller, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Barkley, whom Cincinnati inked to a two-year deal during the offseason, will likely be placed on injured reserve, although he could return later in the season. Given his lackluster play during the exhibition season, Barkley was likely going to lose out to Jeff Driskel in the Bengals’ backup quarterback battle even before injury luck intervened.