Gary

Brightwell

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.