The Bengals signed safety Russ Yeast to their practice squad, adding a seasoned defensive back with three NFL seasons and substantial special-teams work. Yeast, 26, played 32 Rams games (81 tackles, five passes defensed) and logged 936 defensive snaps plus 321 on special teams across his career, including a Wild Card playoff stint. He spent 2024 with two other clubs (Panthers, Texans) before Cincinnati came calling. He’s the son of former Bengal Craig Yeast, weaving a family tie into a depth-signing that could bolster the backend as Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson anchor the top three.

The move signals a practical depth play for a defense that prioritizes versatility and special-teams value. Yeast’s resume—productive on defense and in coverage on kick returns—gives Cincinnati a capable CFL-style swappable piece behind their trio. If injuries hit, Yeast could contribute immediate depth and an edge in the kicking game, while the club continues to emphasize youth without sacrificing experience. The Rams, Panthers and Texans are adjoined in the broader NFL ecosystem, but the Bengals’ focus is clearly on a granular, flexible safety corps in 2024 and beyond.

In BengalsTalk coverage, Bengals fans also get a reminder of the broader safety landscape involving the Rams, Panthers and Lions, with Cincinnati maintaining a clear roster path that blends pedigree, NFL reps and special-teams acumen. The signing lands at a time when Cincinnati is balancing youthful upside with proven depth, aiming to preserve a competitive defensive floor without overpaying for veterans.