Bengals Prep For Tuesday’s Cut To 53

A look at the Bengals’ roster after Saturday’s preseason finale against the Colts at Paycor Stadium and before Monday’s first cuts and Tuesday’s next configuration by 4 p.m. on the way to Opening Day.

As always, the waiver wire looms for more moves, and the Bengals could be on the lookout for depth at guard, defensive tackle, and safety. Or anywhere else they may see an upgrade.

Joe Burrow (6), Desmond Ridder (4), Jake Browning (3), Payton Thorne (R).

Talk about offensive consistency. Burrow and Browning go to the 53 for a third straight Labor Day as a tandem. With his 18 starts and eight wins, Ridder is set to become one of the league’s more experienced practice squad quarterbacks.

**Tee Higgins** (6), **Ja’Marr Chase** (5), **Andrei Iosivas** (3), **Charlie Jones** (3), **Jermaine Burton** (2), **Kendric Pryor** (2), **Mitchell Tinsley** (2), **Isaiah Williams** (2), **Cole Burgess** (1), **Jamoi Mayes** (R), **Jordan Moore** (R), **Rashod Owens** (R)

With Tinsley not playing against the Colts, that would seem to suggest, at least as of Saturday, that they’re going to keep three receivers behind the Big Three: Jones, Burton, and Tinsley, and not go with five receivers and five tight ends.

The only questions seem to be if Burton (knee) is healthy enough to be active for the Sept 7 opener in Cleveland, and if Burton is healthy, is he or Tinsley active? A healthy Burton would probably go because of his return abilities.

Williams had a heck of a camp. Talk about a tough room.

Brooks had the DNP Saturday, giving them the trio of the rookie, Brown, and Perine. We love the ’09 undefeated AFC North champ Bengals. Different types of players, but remember the deep three of the bell-cow Cedric Benson, the do-it-all vet Brian Leonard, and the rookie sixth-rounder Bernard Scott?

Milton looks to be a solid pro in the making, but it’s a tight fit at a position where they usually keep three.

All looks headed to injured reserve. McLachlan took 77% of Saturday’s snaps. Could they keep the remaining five?

Certainly, Gesicki, Fant and Sample are in. Hudson just shows up and catches the ball in a passing offense. And he didn’t play Saturday, which can be a good sign. Grandy, who played 18 snaps, provides blocking insurance behind Sample and plays special teams. He had another Pro Football Focus top-six overall blocking effort on the team Saturday.

Usually, the number here is four players. But it could be a position of flexibility in the potential flurry of moves coming Tuesday and Wednesday.