The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of reshaping their backfield. The latest move in this overhaul follows a series of workouts on Monday, which resulted in the team signing former New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell to their practice squad, as reported by NFL Media. This comes after the Bengals also invited veteran running back Leonard Fournette for a tryout during the same series of workouts.
This shake-up follows the Bengals’ decision to place running back Zack Moss on injured reserve due to a neck injury, which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season. To address their backfield depth, Cincinnati made a move at the trade deadline, acquiring former Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert. Now, Brightwell adds another option behind starter Chase Brown.
Brightwell, 25, was a sixth-round pick by the Giants in 2021 out of Arizona. Over his first three NFL seasons, he played primarily in a reserve and special teams role, carrying the ball 41 times for 164 yards and a touchdown, while also catching 11 passes for 92 yards.
Last season, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7, which placed him on injured reserve. He was waived in May with an injury designation. More recently, Brightwell spent time at training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was later signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in late August, only to be released on October 29.
As for Fournette, the 29-year-old has had limited action in recent seasons, and the Bengals appear to be moving in a different direction. After signing with the Buffalo Bills practice squad in late October of the previous season, Fournette made two appearances, rushing for 40 yards on 12 carries.
Once considered one of the NFL’s top backs, Fournette had a standout career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including two seasons with over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and a career-high 1,674 scrimmage yards in 2019.
He later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played a pivotal role in their Super Bowl LV victory, earning the nickname “Lombardi Lenny.”
For his career, Fournette has accumulated 4,518 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in 81 regular-season games, along with 312 receptions for 2,219 yards and seven touchdowns.
