Will Bengals Promote Tanner Hudson to Active Roster With Irv Smith Jr. Struggling at Tight End?

Cincinnati hasn't gotten much production from the tight end position this season.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Oct 17, 2023 12:46 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals haven't gotten much production from the tight end position this season.

Irv Smith Jr. has six receptions for 32 yards in four starts. Mitch Wilcox and Drew Sample are the other two tight ends on the 53-man roster. They've combined for six catches for 27 yards.

"Sometimes it’s the ball goes where the coverage dictates. We’ve had some opportunities elsewhere to target. Those times will come," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday. "They always have to stay ready. There are times they always got to be ready for the moment to come, and it’s always at a critical juncture. A big third down, a big situation. I’m pleased with the approach those guys have taken. They’re always ready."

Tanner Hudson flashed his potential in the two games that Smith was out with a hamstring injury. He had four receptions for 48 yards. He also performed well throughout training camp and the preseason.

Could the Bengals promote Hudson from the practice squad to give the tight end room a little more juice in the passing game?

"Tanner did a great job when his number was called in this two games," Taylor said. "He stepped up and filled the role. We’ll always look at ways to use the talents we have on our team. You go into the bye and have a chance to look at your roster as a whole.

"We’ve got a lot of great players on the practice squad. We’re at the point with our roster where we feel like those guys can all contribute for us. It’s not as much pure developmental guys. It’s guys we really feel are an extended roster for us."

The Bengals could create a roster spot and promote Hudson to the active roster at any moment. He has a good rapport with Joe Burrow and appears to be the best pass catching threat in the tight end room.

Hudson will be 29-years-old next month. He isn't a developmental piece, but he may give Cincinnati the best chance to win in the second half of the season.

There's plenty of chatter about the Bengals trading for a tight end before the deadline on Oct. 31. Promoting Hudson to the active roster seems far more likely than an in-season trade.

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