Bengals trim to 53, keeping CFL receiver Dohnte Meyers and Navy rookie DT Landon Robinson

The Cincinnati Bengals finalized their initial 53-man roster on Sunday, making a set of late-season decisions that will shape their depth chart for the start of the 2026 regular season. The Bengals’ official roster feature highlights how two players stood out in camp, with the team keeping CFL wide receiver Dohnte Meyers and Navy rookie defensive tackle Landon Robinson.

Meyers’ presence on the 53-man group reflects a summer run that put him in position to contribute immediately as a pass-catching option. The Bengals specifically credited his camp work as part of the case for retaining him on the final roster, indicating that they see usable skills beyond simply being an offseason tryout.

Robinson’s inclusion is the other key storyline. The Bengals kept a rookie defensive tackle out of Navy, underscoring that their defensive front has youth and flexibility available at the position. For a team that often builds its run defense around role clarity and discipline, giving a first-year player a spot on the initial roster indicates the coaching staff is comfortable with his transition from the college level.

Roster construction at the 53-man stage is also about balancing immediate needs with the realities of the NFL season, where injuries and matchups can force rapid changes. By keeping both a CFL receiver and a Navy rookie defensive tackle, Cincinnati is leaning into a two-pronged strategy: adding reliability in the passing game through a proven league environment, while also investing early in an interior defensive piece.

This roster cut is the Bengals’ first major act of the season, but it is not the end of the sorting process. Players outside the final group can still find their way onto the active roster later through practice squad elevations or new opportunities created by roster transactions. Both Meyers and Robinson will likely be watched closely in the opener’s lead-up, not just for their roles, but for how the Bengals deploy them within their game-plan.

For fans tracking the Bengals’ offseason narrative, the retention of two camp standouts on Sunday provides a clearer picture of what the team valued in training camp. It also suggests the Bengals may be prepared to lean on specific skill sets early, rather than waiting for later phases of roster development.