With Bengals right guard Lucas Patrick poised to make his third straight Opening Day start for as many teams and the sixth of his career, the Bengals have apparently padded their experience and added another veteran guard 11 days from the start of the season.
According to reports, the Bengals have agreed to terms with Dalton Risner, a 2019 second-round draft pick from Kansas State who has 81 starts with Denver and Minnesota, along with one in the postseason. Combined with Patrick, the duo has 145 starts in an NFL interior to offset rookie starting left guard Dylan Fairchild and rookie backup right guard Jalen Rivers. Patrick has played in 107 games, started 64 and appeared in three playoff games.
Risner, 30, started the last eight games of 2024 after suffering a back injury in training camp. He didn't have a camp this year in free agency, but the Bengals have apparently agreed to bring him in on their new 53-man roster as the ninth offensive lineman. On Wednesday, injured backup left tackle Cordell Volson cleared waivers and reverted to the team's Reserve/Injured list, feared lost for the season with a shoulder problem.
The Bengals have to make a cut to make room for Risner and have some flexibility with five tight ends and six defensive tackles.
