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Bengals got preview of punt return competition during minicamp
The battle to be the Bengals’ punt returner could very well earn someone a roster spot.
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals opted to go in a different direction when they allowed Alex Erickson to walk this offseason. He had been the team’s punt returner since he made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
The leader to replace him in all likelihood is Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips, who was a fantastic returner in college. However, Phillips has struggled to stay healthy, and he is only under contract for one more season. Cincinnati also did a pretty good job of grabbing some interesting names to possibly push Phillips for the job.
Roster Reset As Bengals Take The Field
Cincinnati Bengals
Geoff Hobson
The Bengals gather this week for voluntary workouts with a vastly different roster than the one they had going into that last game on Jan. 3. You can t cut to 53 without a preseason, but this roster reset gets you started.
QUARTERBACKS (4)
Brandon Allen (5), Joe Burrow (2), Eric Dungey (1), Kyle Shurmur (1)
Judging by their moves at quarterback, the Bengals appear confident Burrow is going to be back for the opener. His practice schedule is unknown, but they ve got enough guys to hold his place until he s in a routine.
They traded Ryan Finley and re-signed Allen to a one-year deal after he proved to be a solid caretaker of the offense despite miserable circumstances during the pandemic.
May 14, 2021 at 08:50 AM Copied!
The Bengals today signed six college free agents.
The CFAs will participate in the team s Rookie Minicamp, which takes place today at Paul Brown Stadium.
Here is the complete list of today s signings:
POSITION AND NAME; HEIGHT AND WEIGHT; COLLEGE; HOMETOWN
P Drue Chrisman; 6-3, 209; Ohio State; Lawrenceburg, Ind.
LB Darius Hodge; 6-1, 248; Marshall; Wake Forest, N.C.
WR Riley Lees; 6-0, 192; Northwestern; Libertyville, Ill.
CB Antonio Phillips; 5-11, 193; Ball State; St. Louis, Mo.
TE Pro Wells; 6-3, 249; Texas Christian; St. Petersburg, Fla.
HB Pooka Williams, Jr.; 5-9, 175; Kansas; New Orleans, La.
The Bengals also have arranged for five unsigned players to work with the team on a tryout basis during Rookie Minicamp. A list of those tryout players will be included on rosters available at the minicamp.
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2021 NFL Draft has concluded for the Cincinnati Bengals, but the new additions continue to roll in through free agency.
One big piece that the Bengals needed to add was someone to return kicks. They got just that and more in the signing of Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Riley Lees.
Out wide, in the slot, returning kicks, the @Bengals can count on @RileyLees to do it all! #ProCatspic.twitter.com/BRRxPphigL Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) May 2, 2021
During his career at Northwestern, Lees hauled in 111 receptions for 1,093 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 21 carries for 43 yards and a score.