Hudson is a reserve TE who has enjoyed his best career statistical seasons in 2023 and '24 with the Bengals ... After totaling 15 receptions for 199 yards from 2019-22, he posted career highs in catches (39) and yards (352) in '23, then followed up with 19 for 154 last season ... He began the 2023 campaign on Cincinnati's practice squad, then signed to the active roster in early November and emerged as a reliable pass catcher ... He originally joined the Bengals' practice squad late in 2022, after spending time with Tampa Bay ('19-20), San Francisco ('21) and the N.Y. Giants ('22) ... Saw action in all four postseason contests for 2020 Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl LV ... Played collegiately at Southern Arkansas University (Division II).
Signed with Tampa Bay as college free agent on 5-11-18 ... Waived by Buccaneers on 9-1-18 ... Signed to Buccaneers practice squad on 9-2-18 ... Signed to Buccaneers roster on 12-11-18 ... Signed contract extension with Buccaneers on 3-13-20 ... Waived by Buccaneers on 9-5-20 ... Signed to Buccaneers practice squad on 9-6-20 ... Signed to Buccaneers roster on 9-23-20 ... Signed contract extension with Buccaneers on 3-10-21 ... Waived by Buccaneers on 8-31-21 ... Signed to San Francisco practice squad on 9-2-21 ... Signed to 49ers roster on 1-1-22 ... Waived by 49ers on 1-7-22 ... Signed to 49ers practice squad on 1-10-22 ... Signed to 49ers roster on 1-31-22 (Reserve/Future) ... Contract terminated by 49ers on 8-23-22 ... Signed with N.Y. Giants as free agent on 8-25-22 ... Contract terminated by Giants on 8-31-22 ... Re-signed with Giants as free agent on 9-1-22 ... Waived by Giants on 12-3-22 ... Signed to Cincinnati practice squad on 12-6-22 ... Signed to Bengals roster on 1-31-23 (Reserve/Future) ... Contract terminated by Bengals on 8-29-23 ... Signed to Bengals practice squad on 8-30-23 ... Signed to Bengals roster on 11-1-23 ... Bengals contract expired on 3-13-24; became unrestricted free agent ... Re-signed with Bengals as unrestricted free agent on 3-15-24 ... Signed contract extension with Bengals on 3-7-25.
2018—Spent rookie season on Tampa Bay's practice squad.
2019—Made Tampa Bay's active roster out of training camp ... Played in nine games, recording two catches for 26 yards ... Made NFL debut on Oct. 27 at Tennessee (no stats) ... Had first career reception on Nov. 3 at Seattle, a 12-yarder from QB Jameis Winston in fourth quarter.
2020—Began season on Tampa Bay's practice squad, but was elevated to active roster (standard elevation) for Game 2 vs. Carolina, and was signed to active roster for final 14 regular-season games ... Caught three passes for 41 yards ... Hauled in 20-yard catch on Dec. 26 at Detroit ... Inactive for regular-season finale, but played 16 snaps in four postseason contests to help Buccaneers to Super Bowl LV.
2021—Spent offseason and training camp with Tampa Bay, then was waived at final cuts and signed to San Francisco's practice squad ... Played in two games as a practice squad elevation (no stats) ... Signed to active roster ahead of regular-season finale, but was inactive ... Waived and signed to 49ers' practice squad, where he spent all three postseason games.
2022—Waived by San Francisco during training camp and signed by N.Y. Giants ... Played in Giants' first 11 games of regular season, recording 10 catches for 132 yards (13.2 average) ... Had three grabs for 58 yards on Oct. 30 at Seattle, including 27-yarder in fourth quarter ... Waived by Giants on Dec. 3, then signed to Cincinnati's practice squad, where he spent the rest of regular season and all of postseason.
2023—Played in 12 games (one start at TE) for Cincinnati ... Elevated to active roster from practice squad for Games 3 and 4 ... Signed to active roster on Nov. 1 ... Caught 39 passes for 352 yards and one TD ... Had two catches for 30 yards on Sept. 25 vs. L.A. Rams, with 26-yarder in second quarter setting up Bengals FG ... Made second career start on Nov. 5 vs. Buffalo after signing to active roster four days prior; caught four passes for 45 yards ... Had career-high six catches for 33 yards on Nov. 12 vs. Houston, with five for 28 coming on opening TD drive ... Scored first career TD on Dec. 10 vs. Indianapolis, an 11-yarder to give Bengals lead in third quarter ... Had team-high five grabs for 49 yards on Dec. 16 vs. Minnesota.
2024—Played in 11 games ... Inactive for five games (Games 3-5, 15-16) and Active/DNP in one game (Game 2) ... Caught 19 passes for 154 yards and one TD ... Had two grabs for 14 yards Nov. 3 vs. Las Vegas, including 11-yarder on fourth down during TD drive in opening quarter ... Tied career high with six receptions for 42 yards Nov. 7 at Baltimore, including three-yard TD catch to give Bengals lead late in first half ... Brought in four catches for 28 yards on Dec. 1 vs. Pittsburgh ... Had 19-yard catch in fourth quarter Dec. 9 at Dallas.
Spent four seasons at Southern Arkansas (2014-17) ... In 43 career games, he caught 143 passes for 2152 yards (15.0 average) and 25 TDs ... Also rushed for 79 yards and one TD on 11 carries ... Named second-team Division II All-American by American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as a senior in 2017, when he led team with 624 receiving yards ... Had career-high 763 receiving yards and nine TDs as a junior ... Redshirted his freshman season at the University of Memphis, before transferring to Southern Arkansas.
Hometown is Camden, Tenn. ... Attended Camden Central High School, where he played quarterback, kicker and punter ... Played four games as a senior due to injury, but averaged 43.5 yards per punt ... Also played basketball.
NOTE ABOUT NFL EXPERIENCE: Hudson did not earn an accrued year of experience toward NFL free agency in 2018 or '21.
