Bengals Cut Desmond Ridder as Injuries Hit Key Positions

The Cincinnati Bengals have made their final moves to reach the 53-man roster, parting ways with a former starting quarterback while dealing with injuries across multiple positions.

Injury Report

Tight end Erick All was placed on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Defensive end Cedric Johnson landed on short-term injured reserve with a calf issue, sidelining him for the early portion of the season.

Safety Daijahn Anthony was also placed on short-term IR with a hamstring injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Anthony will miss at least the first four games of the season. The Bengals later confirmed the move.

Roster Cuts

Quarterback Desmond Ridder was the most notable of the Bengals’ 22 roster cuts. Once a starter for the Atlanta Falcons, Ridder was fighting for a backup role in Cincinnati but now finds himself back on the free-agent market.

What It Means

The Bengals will enter 2025 dealing with early roster challenges. Losing Anthony and Johnson trims depth on defense, while All’s absence delays his potential impact in the passing game. Cutting Ridder shows the team is confident in its quarterback depth behind Joe Burrow and ready to move forward without the veteran option.

Cincinnati has its roster locked, but health and depth will be tested immediately when the season kicks off.