The Cincinnati Bengals were dealt three blows to their depth this week after the team waived defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow and were notified of two opt-outs for the 2020 season in offensive tackle Isaiah Prince and nose tackle Josh Tupou.
For Glasgow, the news is not surprising. He tore his right ACL in back-to-back seasons and was unable to pass a physical earlier this week. When he has been on the field, Glasgow has proven to be a solid contributor off the bench but multiple injuries to the same ACL are nothing short of catastrophic for his career. Assuming he clears waivers, he can be added to the Bengals’ injured reserve without taking a roster spot, though it seems unlikely as 2020 is the final year of the former fourth-rounder’s contract.
Prince, drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, was claimed off of waivers by the Bengals last December. The former Ohio State Buckeye did not play in any games for the Bengals but was a likely practice squad candidate in 2020 with the potential to join the team if injuries became an issue.
#Bengals OT Isaiah Prince has officially opted out of the 2020 NFL season and DT Josh Tupou is expected to do the same https://t.co/mEzWJ3K5Ze
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 31, 2020
The most disappointing news from the trio is Tupou, a steadily progressing nose tackle who was expected to see a significant uptick in snaps as the main backup behind D.J. Reader and Geno Atkins. Tupou signed a restricted free agent tender in March and agreed with Cincinnati on a one-year deal back on May 1. In 23 games (seven starts) with the Bengals, Tupou has 36 total tackles (three for loss) and a forced fumble.
Both players will earn the minimum salary stipend of $150,000 against their base 2020 salary. Their contracts will effectively “freeze” for the season and they will still be under team control for 2021.
The Bengals will likely be looking for another inexpensive option to fill a depth role on the defensive line, while several other teams are also in the market for a similar need.
