Former Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III has been fighting to move up the professional ranks since he joined the Cincinnati Bengals last year.
Cross was waived by the Bengals on Sunday as part of the team’s final roster cuts. While that might have been the end for some football players who have dreams of being in the NFL, the hope for Cross’s pro career to continue remains alive.
Jordan Schultz reported on social media that if another NFL team doesn’t claim Cross off waivers and he clears them, Cincinnati is planning to place him on the practice squad. He had an impressive 2026 preseason for the Bengals, appearing in all three games and tallying four total tackles.
A 2024 Notre Dame graduate and an alum of St. Joseph Regional High School
(N.J.), Cross was an All-American in his six seasons with the Irish. During that time, Cross recorded 169 tackles (80 solo), 11 sacks, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
The #Bengals are waiving DT Howard Cross III, per sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 30, 2026
The plan is to bring him back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. https://t.co/OmTqiZi5Yp pic.twitter.com/yzw6uTjAE0
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Former Notre Dame defender waived by Bengals, but opportunities arise
