Bengals Bolster Their Backfield: A Closer Look at Recent Moves
Continuing their quest to strengthen the roster amidst a tide of injuries, the Cincinnati Bengals have added Gary Brightwell to their practice squad. As the latest addition, Brightwell joins the Bengals from a slew of professional transitions, offering both potential and depth to a team seeking stability in its backfield. His career, marked by brief yet notable stints across the NFL landscape, paints the picture of a player ready for new opportunities.
Journey Through NFL: The Rise of Gary Brightwell
Initially drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Brightwell showed promise early in his career. During his tenure with the Giants, he mustered 41 rushes for 164 yards and a touchdown, alongside 11 receptions for 92 yards. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury in the 2022 season curtailed his progress, landing him on injured reserve.
Brightwell's road back to the field wasn't straightforward. He participated in a training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars over the summer, seeking to impress and earn a spot. However, it was with the Cleveland Browns that he found a temporary home, signing on as a practice squad player in late August. His time with Cleveland was short-lived as well, culminating in his release on October 29. Now with the Bengals, Brightwell likely hopes to leverage his experience and remain a fixture on the team's roster plans.
Injury Woes and Strategic Acquisitions
The Bengals’ decision to bring Brightwell on board comes as the team grapples with significant injuries in the running back department. Notably, Zack Moss has been sidelined with a neck injury and placed on injured reserve, creating a void that needs immediate attention. In response, the Bengals also managed to acquire Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears, further demonstrating their commitment to fortify the position.
Adding another dimension to their strategy, the Bengals have conducted workouts with veteran running back Leonard Fournette. Drafted fourth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of LSU, Fournette’s career is illustrious, boasting over 1,300 yards from scrimmage in two separate seasons, including an impressive 1,674 yards in the 2019 season alone.
The Versatile Veteran: Leonard Fournette's Impact
Fournette’s NFL journey has been nothing short of eventful. After being waived by the Jaguars in the summer of 2020, he played a crucial role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV victory, showcasing his capacity as both a runner and receiver. His career stats are noteworthy, amassing 4,518 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, adding 312 catches for 2,219 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Last season, Fournette briefly joined the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in late October, where he made limited appearances across two games, rushing for 40 yards on 12 carries. The Bengals’ interest in Fournette aligns with their apparent strategy of reinforcing their running game amid existing challenges.
While no direct quotes or announcements have been made regarding how soon Fournette might join the Bengals, his workouts signal a calculated move by the team to possibly onboard an experienced asset capable of contributing immediately upon activation from the practice squad.
Looking Ahead
As the Bengals navigate the complexities of an NFL season teeming with injuries and roster adjustments, their recent activities underscore a proactive stance in mitigating risks through strategic acquisitions. The addition of Gary Brightwell, combined with the potential signing of Leonard Fournette, speaks to a balanced approach: securing promising talent from the sidelines while eyeing proven experience.
For Brightwell, the Bengals present an opportunity to reset and showcase his abilities anew. Whether these calculated moves prove effective will depend on how well these players adapt and contribute within the Bengals’ dynamic framework in the weeks to come.