Roster gymnastics continue for the Cincinnati Bengals as they add much-needed help at defensive tackle.
As first reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero , the Bengals signed 14-year veteran Lawrence Guy Sr. to the 53-man roster. The team worked him out Tuesday morning . To make room for Guy, the team has, rather surprisingly, released edge defender K.J. Henry.
What Lawrence Guy brings to Cincinnati
Guy was originally a seventh-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers back in 2011, the same year A.J. Green and Andy Dalton were drafted. He never played a down for the Packers, but has been on four other teams throughout his extensive career. The majority of his playing days have been with the New England Patriots, where he played from 2017-2023.
In 177 regular-season games (122 starts), Guy has totaled 507 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 10 passes defensed, six fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one interception. In 2023, he played 17 games for the Pats and racked up 38 tackles. He graded out at 47.3 against the run according to Pro Football Focus, but finished the year better than he started. He was released by the Patriots in February.
Guy's best days are behind him at age 34, but he's been a steady run defender and stayed ready for an opportunity to arise. There's no greater opportunity around the league for him than in Cincinnati's defensive line room.
The Bengals saw both starting defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins exit Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs early with hamstring injuries . Reserves Zach Carter and Jay Tufele were forced to finish the game without rest, and with rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. out with thumb injury, they were the only healthy defensive tackles on the active roster prior to the Guy signing.
What this moves means for the Bengals' defensive line
Guy gives the Bengals a needed healthy body along the interior, but his arrival also brings the number of edge defenders down to four with Henry getting released as the corresponding move. Henry was claimed off waivers prior to the regular season to account for Myles Murphy's knee injury that landed him on the Reserve/Injured list.
Henry wasn't a major contributor through two weeks with just just 11 snaps logged on defense, but he at least provided depth following Murphy's injury. He was active on game days while rookie sixth-round pick Cedric Johnson was not.
Will the Bengals now have Johnson active while Murphy misses the next two games? They likely won't have a choice.
The Bengals didn't have to release Henry or any player on their roster. They could've placed any currently injured player on the Reserve/Injured list to free up a roster spot. They also could've signed Guy to the practice squad and elevated him for up to three games.
That they gave Guy a roster spot immediately and didn't place Hill, Rankins, or anyone else on I.R. is a good sign for his new teammates. It's too early to say if Hill or Rankins will be able to play Monday night against the Washington Commanders, but if they avoid I.R., that bodes well for a relatively quick return to the field.
As for Henry, a return to the practice squad is possible after the team released wide receiver Shedrick Jackson from it. We'll learn who takes that spot in the coming days.
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