The Cincinnati Bengals were interested in bringing back receiver and returner Charlie Jones before the New York Giants promoted him from their practice squad to their active roster, according to a report via Twitter/X from The Athletic's Dan Duggan.
Jones signed with the Giants' practice squad Sept. 1, after he was among players the Bengals cut to finalize their 53-man roster.
Jones, the Bengals' fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, played in 33 games over his first three NFL seasons with the team, totaling eight catches for 69 receiving yards.
The Bengals announced earlier they signed Ke'Shawn Williams to their practice squad after releasing him earlier in the week. Williams had a costly muffed punt and fumble during the fourth quarter of
Cincinnati's 30-27 Week 3 loss in Pittsburgh.
In 2025, Jones played in 14 games, but did not have a catch. He returned 13 punts for 115 yards (8.8 average) and 42 kickoffs for 1,084 yards (25.8 average).
In November 2025, Jones returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during the Bengals' Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium.
It was the second kickoff return for a TD of Jones' career.
Earlier in the season, Jones suffered a right ankle injury during the third quarter of Cincinnati's Week 4 loss to the Broncos in Denver.
Jones was inactive because of a groin injury Weeks 9 through 18 of the 2024 season.
Jones returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown as a rookie against Baltimore in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals' interest in Charlie Jones preceded Giants' promotion – report
