Ceyair Wright steps away from Bengals amid acting work as teams make minor August roster moves

The Cincinnati Bengals made one of the more unusual minor roster moves of the day, with cornerback Ceyair Wright being placed on the reserve/left squad list. According to a report from Pro Football Rumors, the decision is connected to an acting opportunity that has pulled Wright away from the football program, an explanation Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor discussed in a video tied to the move. Wright joined the Bengals in May as part of their undrafted free agent group, and the report also notes he has acting credits, including a role connected to the LeBron James-led film Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Across the AFC and NFC, several other teams addressed depth and camp availability. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, signed tight end Baylor Cupp, running back Tre Stewart, and defensive lineman Keveion’ta Spears as part of their ongoing roster churn in August. For NFL teams in the preseason window, signings like these typically serve to widen the competition pool at positions where coaches are evaluating special teams fit and developmental upside.

The Cardinals also used reserve designations in the same transaction set, placing tight end Jameson Geers on injured reserve and linebacker Austin Keys on injured reserve. Both moves affect the availability of those players for the coming weeks, while also giving the clubs a clearer roster path for practice-squad and reserve elevations as the preseason progresses.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals activated defensive tackle B.J. Hill from the active/PUP list, a move that indicates he is cleared to practice and compete after previously being held out under the preseason PUP designation. The team also signed cornerback Matthew McDoom, adding another piece to the defensive back competition as depth charts continue to take shape during training camp.

Elsewhere, Green Bay waived quarterback Kyron Drones, a transaction consistent with the early-season rhythm for third-string and developmental passers. The Indianapolis Colts also resolved an injured reserve designation through an injury settlement involving a tight end, with the report indicating the player is no longer on IR as the settlement took effect.

Taken together, the moves reinforce how August roster work often looks less like headline-grabbing star power and more like measured adjustments: adding players for specific roles, correcting depth charts, and clearing roster space. For fans, the most immediate storyline to watch is whether Wright’s absence changes Cincinnati’s defensive back rotation and special teams plans, while also monitoring how the Hill activation and the additional defensive back signing affect the next wave of camp evaluations.

Because this roundup comes from a reporting compilation rather than an official league transaction log, some details may be incomplete until team or league confirmations are posted. Still, the pattern is clear: each club is using minor moves to manage availability, create competition, and prepare for the roster crunch that comes with the final preseason cutdown window.