Cincinnati just dropped some tough news on their return from the bye week: tight end Tanner Hudson is officially done for the season, hitting injured reserve after tearing his pectoral in Week 5. This isn’t just a minor setback; his agent confirmed last week that the injury will keep him sidelined for the rest of the year.
That Week 5 Win Came at a Cost
Man, talk about a brutal trade-off. Hudson tore his pec in Cincinnati’s Week 5 win over the Dolphins. It’s a real gut punch, especially since he was making plays. In that very game, he had seven catches for 33 yards, and yeah, he even snagged a touchdown! That’s the kind of production you don’t want to lose, especially when it’s just starting to heat up. This guy has been in the league for eight seasons, with four of those in Cincinnati, so he’s a veteran presence they’re now without.
Who Steps Up Now?
With Hudson on IR, the Bengals just opened up a spot on their 53-man roster. This move leaves Mike Gesicki, Erick All, Drew Sample, and Jack Endries as the remaining tight ends. That’s a solid group, but losing a vet like Hudson, especially after he was performing, definitely puts pressure on everyone else. Do they roll with what they have, or do they look to add another body to the mix? The team could add to that number whenever they decide to fill the opening Hudson leaves. It’s a big question mark for their offensive game plan moving forward.
So, as Cincy comes back from their bye, this is the kind of curveball nobody wants. How they address that open roster spot, and how Mike Gesicki, Erick All, Drew Sample, and Jack Endries step up in Hudson’s absence, is going to be something to watch. The tight end position just became a major storyline for the Bengals’ season.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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