The Cincinnati Bengals got a lot better today, putting pen to paper on NFL veteran, Dalton Risner. Risner was a second round draft pick in 2019 and played out his rookie contract with the Denver Broncos. He spent the last two seasons as a starting piece on the Minnesota Vikings offensive line and comes to the Bengals with 81 career starts.
Risner played last season on a one-year extension, making just $2.4 million.
The official contract details have not been announced, but Risner was present at practice Thursday afternoon. A quick turn around following the Wednesday night acquisition. He will wear #66 for the Cats.
Dalton Risner Could Start Immediately
Before the signing, the Bengals were set to roll out a fairly new look offensive line.
“This has the potential to be a massive addition to the Bengals’ revamped guard spots, which will likely have new starters on the left and right sides this season,” writes Jason Marcum. “Third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild is set to take over left guard in place of Cordell Volson, while the right guard spot was trending toward Lucas Patrick, a cheap free agent pickup from earlier this offseason that didn’t exactly inspire confidence while hoping to replace the departed Alex Cappa.
Instead, that spot is likely going to be Risner by the time Week 1 rolls around in Cleveland.”
Risner is a pass blocker by trade. According to Pro Football Focus, the guard has not allowed a sack in either of the last two seasons. In fact, he has only allowed 11 career sacks on nearly 3,000 pass blocking snaps.
He is among the league’s best in his pass blocking grade, and he will join one of the league’s best passing attacks. Seems like a good match.
Javon Foster and Russ Yeast Join Team
The Bengals announced a handful of roster moves Thursday morning. Along with the signing, the team has signed offensive tackle Javon Foster to the practice squad.
Foster is a former fourth round pick by last year’s Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff. The six-foot-five SEC product appeared in four games as a rookie. This is a potential key signing on a now full practice squad.
Joining Foster on the practice squad is safety Russ Yeast. Yeast represents another proven NFL talet.
As a 2022 seventh round draft pick, Yeast earned his way on to the Los Angeles Rams active roster. He was waived in 2024 and spent time with the Cardinals, the Panthers, and Houston.
Yeast comes to Cincy with 78 tackles in 36 career games. He is a perfect practice squad piece that the team could trust if he were to be called up for any reason.
One Waived, One Released
Rookie defensive tackle Eric Gregory was waived in a corresponding move Thursday. The six-foot-three mauler signed onto the Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Arkansas where he played six seasons of college football.
He recorded 43 tackles and three sacks his sixth and final season, by far the best mark of his career.
Additionally, offensive tackle Devin Cochran was released from the practice squad. Cochran played in nine games for the Bengals last season. The six-foot-seven protector posted just a 50.6 PFF grade in his 152 snaps played during his third season with the team.
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