The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back a familiar face at tight end, signing Cam Grandy off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad to their 53-man active roster on Monday, according to WLWT reporting confirmed by multiple outlets. The move came less than 24 hours after Cincinnati scored 35 unanswered points in a 35-13 win at Baltimore.
Grandy is no stranger to Cincinnati. He suited up in 13 games for the Bengals across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, working primarily as a blocking tight end and depth piece. Because he was signed off another team’s practice squad, league rules require him to occupy a spot on the Bengals’ active roster.
The signing points to concern about third-year tight end Erick All Jr., who left Sunday’s game against the Ravens in the third quarter with a right knee injury. All had caught three passes for 26 yards before exiting, in the middle of one of his strongest stretches since joining the Bengals as a fourth-round draft pick.
All’s right knee has a difficult history. He tore the ACL in that knee during his final college season at Iowa in 2023, then injured the same knee again in November 2024, ending his rookie season and requiring extensive surgical repair. The team has not yet announced a timetable for his return from this latest injury.
Cincinnati’s tight end room was already thin. Tanner Hudson is out for the year with a torn pectoral injury, leaving Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample — who caught a 16-yard touchdown in Sunday’s win — as the primary options alongside the returning Grandy. Gesicki also scored on a 6-yard reception in the comeback at Baltimore.
The Bengals, now 4-2 after the road win, prepare to host Tennessee this week. Grandy is expected to step into a supporting role immediately, giving head coach Zac Taylor a proven blocker who already knows the offense while the team waits for clarity on All’s knee.
The timing matters for an offense that just found its rhythm. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw four second-half touchdown passes at Baltimore as Cincinnati erased a 13-0 halftime deficit, and the tight ends were central to that turnaround. Keeping a functional rotation at the position — even as injuries mount — is how the Bengals protect that momentum heading into the Tennessee game.
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