The Cincinnati Bengals continue to bolster their roster depth as they have signed running back Gary Brightwell to their practice squad. Brightwell, a name that may sound familiar to NFC East followers, is a former New York Giants player who was drafted in the sixth round back in 2021. During his time with the Giants, Brightwell showcased glimpses of potential, rushing for 164 yards from 41 carries and scoring a touchdown. Additionally, he contributed through the air with 11 receptions totaling 92 yards.
Unfortunately, Brightwell's stint in New York was marred by a significant setback. During the 2022 season, he suffered a hamstring injury which ultimately placed him on injured reserve. Despite this setback, his journey through the NFL has been persistent, marked by various transitions and opportunities across teams.
After his tenure with the Giants, Brightwell had brief engagements with the Jacksonville Jaguars, participating in their training camp this past summer. Though he did not secure a permanent spot, he continued to attract interest from teams, landing a practice squad position with the Cleveland Browns in late August. However, his time in Cleveland was short-lived as he was released on October 29.
Now with the Bengals, Brightwell joins a backfield currently facing its own challenges, notably with Zack Moss on injured reserve due to a neck injury. The Bengals have been proactive in strengthening their running game, also acquiring Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears and conducting workouts with veteran running back Leonard Fournette.
Fournette, who is well-acquainted with the spotlight, was originally drafted fourth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars from LSU. His career highlights include two separate seasons where he surpassed 1,300 yards from scrimmage, emphasizing his dual-threat capability both as a rusher and receiver. In 2019, he racked up 1,674 yards from scrimmage, a testament to his versatility and endurance on the field.
His journey hasn't been without its ups and downs. Fournette was waived by the Jaguars in the summer of 2020 but quickly found a new home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was with the Buccaneers that Fournette played a vital role during their campaign to Super Bowl LV victory, cementing his status as a reliable option in high-stakes situations.
Adding to his impressive résumé, Fournette's career statistics boast 4,518 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, along with 312 catches for 2,219 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Despite his seasoned career, Fournette is still actively seeking opportunities to contribute, as evidenced by his brief involvement with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad late last season. There, he made appearances in two games, gaining 40 yards on 12 carries.
The Bengals' interest in maintaining a competitive and dynamic running game is clear with these recent signings and workouts. The integration of both Brightwell and Fournette, should he finalize an agreement, highlights Cincinnati’s commitment to securing depth and versatility in their offensive lineup.
As Gary Brightwell slot into the Bengals' practice squad, it will be intriguing to see how his journey unfolds in Cincinnati. His past seasons, despite injury obstacles, have shown promise, and a fresh start with the Bengals could provide the right environment for his talents to flourish anew. Meanwhile, Leonard Fournette awaits another chapter in his storied NFL journey, potentially as part of a Bengals backfield eager for reinvigoration.