Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
Odds by

    Bengals roster cuts include Brightwell

    Link copied to clipboard!

    FA Running Back #32
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Bengals released RB Gary Brightwell.

    Brightwell, who played in two games for the Bengals in 2025, won’t make the 53-man roster, though he should catch on with another team ahead of the regular season. The rest of the Bengals’ final roster cuts Sunday included LB Joe Giles-Harris, QB Josh Johnson, S Russ Yeast, LB Liam Anderson, S Daijahn Anthony, G Liam Brown, HB Kentrel Bullock, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, LB Jack Dingle, DE Isaiah Foskey, LB Eric Gentry, TE Cam Grandy, HB Jamal Haynes, LB Shaka Heyward, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson, WR Xavier Johnson, WR Charlie Jones, OT Christian Jones, TE Josh Kattus, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, CB Matthew McDoom, HB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, WR Kendric Pryor, G Corey Robinson II, WR Noah Thomas. WR Mitch Tinsley, and CB Ceyair Wright
Which HC with a new team was most impressive?
Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett and Jac Collinsworth discuss the head coaches on new teams that had the most impressive performances in Week 1, breaking down how Joe Brady and Mike LaFleur had strong starts to the season.

Related Player News

  • CIN Wide Receiver #82
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    He was an exclusive rights free agent. Tinsley pushed former third-rounder Jermaine Burton out of Joe Burrow’s circle of trust in the preseason and managed an 8/116/2 seasonal receiving line, with 15 of those targets coming against the Ravens and Patriots as Tee Higgins was out. Tinsley isn’t exactly a fantasy football sleeper, but Burrow’s rapport with him does make him interesting as a contingency plan. The Bengals also signed these 18 other players to ERFA one-year deals or futures contracts: LB Liam Anderson, C Jacob Bayer, HB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, S Russ Yeast, DE Isaiah Foskey, LB Joe Giles-Harris, LB Shaka Heyward, TE Cam Grandy, and S PJ Jules.
  • CIN Quarterback #11
    He’ll be the third quarterback in Cincinnati this year behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Also joining the Cincinnati practice squad are: RB Gary Brightwell, S Russ Yeast, OT Devin Cochran, OT Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, G Jaxson Kirkland, CB Bralyn Lux, C Seth McLaughlin, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, DE Isaiah Thomas and WR Isaiah Williams.
  • CIN Running Back #35
    The signing of Brightwell presumably ends any chances of Leonard Fournette landing in Cincinnati. Brightwell is a four-year veteran of the league who has a rushing line of 41-164-1. He has also caught 11 passes for 92 yards. Brightwell will start on the Bengals’ practice squad with a chance to be elevated in the coming days/weeks. This signing doesn’t move the needle from a fantasy perspective.
  • FA Running Back #23
    Brightwell was released with a waived/injured designation. The three-year pro has contributed primarily on special teams and has just 52 offensive touches to his name. Brightwell was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 2021 and should have a chance to catch on with another team in training camp if healthy. In addition to the release of Brightwell, the Giants also signed safety Elijah Riley, who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers in a backup role.
  • NYG Running Back #20
    Gray exited in the first half of Sunday’s contest and did not return to the game. His loss was immediately felt on special teams when Sterling Shepard replaced him as the team’s punt returner and muffed his first attempt at a return. In addition to Gray, the Commanders also lost Gary Brightwell (hamstring), leaving the team somewhat thin behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida if Gray and Brightwell were to miss time.
  • NYG Running Back #23
    Brightwell functioned as the Giants’ No. 2 back behind Matt Breida, who had 14 carries for a meager 30 yards. No one in the New York backfield is fantasy viable while Saquon Barkley (ankle) is sidelined. Brightwell should remain on waiver wires.
  • NYG Running Back #23
    Matt Breida dominated the Giants’ backfield snaps in Saquon Barkley’s absence, but Brightwell tied him in touches and out-produced him 36-18. Neither back, of course, covered themselves in glory on an awful offensive night for the Giants against a dominant defense. Week 4 opponent Seattle is far more permissive on the ground, but there isn’t a FLEX case to be made for Brightwell in 12-team leagues for that one.
  • NYG Running Back #31
    Given their lack of depth behind Barkley, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Giants split up their running back touches. Matt Breida is the presumed No. 1 back heading into Thursday night’s game, but Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray also have a chance to see carries. Breida will be hard to trust as anything more than a RB3, and has had only four top-24 finishes dating back to 2020.
  • NYG Running Back #26
    Barkley suffered what is being classified as an “ordinary” ankle sprain, which is to say he did not suffer a high-ankle sprain, which would have been far worse. Still, Barkley is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, which means he will miss the Giants’ Week 3 matchup against the 49ers on Thursday night. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell could be first in line to receive touches in Barkley’s absence, but it’s also possibly rookie Eric Gray sees a few opportunities. Regardless of who is playing in Barkley’s absence, this group of backs will be hard to trust against a stout 49ers defense.
  • FA Running Back #32
    Brightwell led the Giants backfield in carries but was heavily out-targeted by Matt Brieda. The two essentially split Saquon Barkey’s workload, who was inactive in this game, with the Giants saving him for the playoffs. Brightwell is off the fantasy radar for playoff contests.

Rotoworld

  • NYG Wide Receiver #88
    Player Stats
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Malachi Fields caught 2-of-4 targets for 25 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    The rookie wide receiver showcased an all-around polished skillset that included trust in the run game, reinforcing offseason reports that he had locked down the WR2 role opposite Malik Nabers. His 6'4, 220-pound frame was on full display as he was continually utilized as both a down-blocker and blocker in the second level on runs, something that should allow him to continue to operate as the clear-cut WR2 for the Giants throughout his rookie campaign. That said, the box scores highlights the obvious distinction that his snap rate won’t always translate to fantasy production while playing alongside Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely, the latter two of whom commanded 17 targets on 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. The good news is that he played well ahead of veterans Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. Fantasy managers are best off viewing Fields as a high-end stash at the end of benches for the time being.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #1
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Malik Nabers caught 6-of-9 targets for 69 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Nabers took his decision to play all the way up to inactives, ultimately deeming himself healthy enough to take the field against a divisional rival. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t take long to knock the rust off his alpha receiver, giving him a quick out on his first target to get his feet wet and get into the flow of the game. Nabers would make numerous athletic plays from that point forward, combining with newcomer tight end Isaiah Likely to account for 17 targets on only 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. Fantasy managers can likely project that volume forward as the offense appeared to run entirely through its top two options through the air in the opening game. Nabers gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2, where he remains a back end WR1 in fantasy circles.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Isaiah Likely caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Making his debut for a new team, Likely didn’t wait long to prove he can be a featured tight end for the Giants, scoring on the final possession of the first half and first possession after the break. His first score highlighted his athleticism as he escaped coverage to the corner of the end zone from 15 yards out while his second trip to paint was reminiscent of a Nagy design for Travis Kelce in which the veteran tight end shed a chip-block in the flat for an easy score from two yards. Likely looks every bit of a fantasy TE1 but gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2. Even so, you’re starting him if you got him.
  • NYG Running Back #44
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Cam Skattebo rushed 18 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Although Skattebo was not targeted in the pass game, his 18 carries handily led the team. Furthermore, presumed backup Tyrone Tracy lost a fumble on one of his two carries, resulting in Devin Singletary taking over primary backup duties for the remainder of the game. Those two variables should keep Skattebo’s weekly volume high after showing no ill effects of the devastating ankle injury suffered in 2025. His touchdown now gives him eight total scores in nine professional appearances despite only six of those being starts, a rate that will keep Skattebo in the weekly RB1 discussion moving forward. That said, fantasy managers could be forced to test their depth ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Rams on the road.
  • NYG Quarterback #6
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Jaxson Dart completed 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ 28-20, Week 1 win over the Cowboys, adding 54 yards on 11 carries.

    Dart managed to convert 9-of-10 third downs as the Giants completely controlled the flow of the game against their divisional rivals, leading to over 13 more minutes of possession than the Cowboys. Fantasy managers will also be ecstatic about the 11 rush attempts, specifically due to the fact that over half of those were designed carries in Matt Nagy’s offense. Touchdown passes to tight end Isaiah Likely book-ended halftime, with the second-year quarterback adding a third to running back Devin Singletary in the fourth quarter. Nagy’s offense appears to be locked into the team’s top two options through the air, highlighted by the 17 combined targets filtered to Malik Nabers and Likely. Dart’s passing volume could see a significant uptick when the Giants hit the road to face the Rams in Week 2, during which fantasy managers can treat him as a back end QB1.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #19
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Ryan Flournoy caught 2-of-4 targets for 22 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The veteran receiver inked a one-year contract extension this offseason to retain his supporting role in the high-powered Dallas offense, but the early returns were less than inspiring. Flournoy appeared to have a stranglehold on the WR3 duties for the Cowboys but will be hard-pressed to return consistent fantasy production for as long as both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens remain healthy. He’ll be a boom-bust WR4 in a plus matchup against the Commanders in Week 2.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Jake Ferguson caught both targets for six yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The Cowboys were dominated in both time of possession and total offense on a night the Giants converted 9-of-10 third downs, resulting in the poor showing in the box scores for the veteran tight end. Ferguson’s stark fantasy splits when both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are healthy remain a concern for fantasy managers that invested a middle-round pick in his services, something that a home matchup against a forgiving Commanders defense could remedy. Even so, Ferguson is nothing more than a middling TE2 in Week 2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #3
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    George Pickens caught 3-of-6 targets for 28 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Pickens picked up two early receptions on the team’s first two possessions, contributing further by drawing a defensive pass interference penalty that would set up a CeeDee Lamb touchdown in the second quarter. An untimely drop on third down near the end of the first quarter halted any momentum he had in the box score as he would go on to notch a lone additional catch the rest of the game. The Cowboys managed only 52 offensive plays as they were dominated in both total offense and time of possession, while watching their defense allow the Giants to go 9-of-10 on third down. It is likely we see much more inspiring fantasy production the remainder of the season as Pickens plays out the year on the franchise tag. He enters a Week 2 home showdown against the Commanders as an upside WR2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #88
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    CeeDee Lamb caught 5-of-8 targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Although eventually leading the team in both targets and receiving, Lamb got off to a slow start while committing an early drop. He would score from one yard out in the second quarter after a Javonte Williams touchdown was ruled short of the goal line and also draw a defensive pass interference penalty in the second half that would lead to a Williams score, but he was otherwise removed from the game through defensive scheming. Better days are likely ahead for the perennial WR1, which starts in a Week 2 home showdown against another divisional opponent in the Commanders.
  • DAL Running Back #33
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Javonte Williams rushed 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants, adding five receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.

    Williams understandably operated as a clear workhorse for a Cowboys team with little depth at the position following Malik Davis’ season-ending injury earlier in the week. His two second half scores and five receptions masked poor rushing efficiency on a night the Cowboys ran only 52 offensive plays, although a robust 32.7 percent total opportunity share foreshadows the potential for continued elite counting stats for the remainder of the regular season. Fantasy managers can continue to start Williams as a volume-driven RB1 as the team prepares to host the Commanders in Week 2.