The Bengals signed Brightwell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday. Brightwell began the 2024 regular season on the Browns' active roster, playing in Week 3 and 4 and posting 36 kick-return yards while contributing exclusively on special teams. He was cut from Cleveland's active roster Oct. 1, and after two separate stints on the Browns' practice squad, he opted to sign with the Bengals' practice squad Nov. 11. He didn't end up playing for Cincinnati during the regular season, but he will be part of the Bengals' 90-man roster once the league year starts March 12.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Gary Brightwell news
Other Bengals Players
Team
Cincinnati Bengals
Birthdate
2/28/1998 (26)
Status
FRES
HT/WT
6'1", 218 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 6; Pk (NYG)
Birthplace
Chester, PA, USA
Position
RB
College
Arizona
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Cincinnati Bengals
2024-Present
(1 season)
Jacksonville Jaguars
2024-2024
(1 season)
Cleveland Browns
2024-2024
(1 season)
New York Giants
2021-2024
(3 seasons)
The Bengals signed Brightwell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday. Brightwell began the 2024 regular season on the Browns' active roster, playing in Week 3 and 4 and posting 36 kick-return yards while contributing exclusively on special teams. He was cut from Cleveland's active roster Oct. 1, and after two separate stints on the Browns' practice squad, he opted to sign with the Bengals' practice squad Nov. 11. He didn't end up playing for Cincinnati during the regular season, but he will be part of the Bengals' 90-man roster once the league year starts March 12.
Cincinnati signed Brightwell to its practice squad Monday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. Less than two weeks after being cut from the Browns' practice squad, Brightwell has now found another opportunity with their division rival. The Bengals currently have four running backs on their active roster, so it would probably take at least one injury for him to see any game action during the second half of the season.
The Browns cut Brightwell from the practice squad Tuesday. Brightwell has bounced on and off Cleveland's practice squad with regularity this season. He's also suited up for two games with the team, contributing exclusively on special-teams in both contests. Brightwell may realistically be a candidate to resurface on the practice squad again in the future.
The Browns re-signed Brightwell to the practice squad Tuesday. Brightwell takes the spot of Sebastian Gutierrez, whom Cleveland cut from the practice squad in a corresponding move. A fourth-year pro, Brightwell played a role on special teams for the Browns in Week 3 and Week 4.
The Browns cut Brightwell from the practice squad Tuesday. Brightwell's departure from the practice squad opens up a spot for wide receiver James Proche. Brightwell was signed to the Browns' active roster Sept. 21 to provide backfield depth behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. However, Brightwell was limited to a special teams role in Week 3 and 4, and he was let go from the 53-man roster Oct. 1. The 2021 sixth-round pick will explore his options and attempt to catch on with a team in need of backfield depth and special teams experience.
The Browns signed Brightwell to the practice squad Thursday. Brightwell cut Brightwell from the active roster Wednesday, but he's quickly resurfaced with the organization. The special-teams ace could be a candidate for elevation Sunday against the Commanders.
The Browns cut Brightwell from the 53-man roster Tuesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. Brightwell spent the last two games contributing exclusively on special teams for Cleveland. He returned two kickoffs for 36 yards during the team's 20-16 loss to the Raiders on Sunday. Now, Brightwell will hope to either resurface on the Browns' practice squad or secure a depth role elsewhere in the league.
Brightwell returned two kickoffs for 36 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Raiders in Week 4. Brightwell was active for a second straight game but has not played on offense yet. He was the main kick returner for the Giants in 2022 and could fill that role with the Browns until injured running backs Nick Chubb (knee) or Nyheim Hines (knee) return and need his roster spot.
The Browns signed Brightwell from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports. With Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) starting the regular season on injured reserve and Pierre Strong (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, the Browns have signed Brightwell to the active roster. Brightwell could get some looks on kickoff returns Sunday while serving as the No. 3 running back behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Brightwell appeared in seven regular-season games for the Giants in 2023, during which he turned nine carries into 19 yards and added five catches (on seven targets) for 47 yards.