The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t take long to figure out the special teams situation coming out of the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fixing theill-advised decision to attempt a blocked punt is one thing. Figuring out what to do with the returning job after key mistakes in Pittsburgh and injuries is more complex.
With Colbie Young’s injury forcing Dohnte Meyers into the base offense, wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams took over return duties against the Steelers and had one of the game’s biggest miscues with a muffed punt.
Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons then needed to decide how to proceed at the key area this week.
"And so that's something we'll have to talk through throughout this week and see what we feel like is the best way to go,
Simmons said prior to roster moves this week, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. "There's a lot of factors that go into that. It's other parts of the roster and injuries to other parts of the roster, and it's something we haven't even completely talked about yet or settled in on. But I am very sensitive to that. Ke'Shawn's trying to make a play, too and just made a bad play worse. Just unfortunate."
The Bengals wound up cutting Williams in a flurry of roster moves. A surprising decision, as he’s the guy Simmons and the Bengals specifically targeted on waivers last season as a return specialist. One mistake, though, is sometimes all it takes in the NFL.
The injury situation plays a part, too. Meyers stole a 53 spot at final cuts because of his play in the base offense and ability as a returner. With Young and Andrei Iosivas out with injuries, the stress on the depth chart pretty much demands that Meyers stick as the third wideout.
The Bengals could decide to add more here, but the return of Mitch Tinsley means they might be a little more comfortable with Meyers working both the base offense and return duties.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals waste no time with accountability roster moves after miscues
