A strong performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers paid off for Tanner Hudson — the Southern Arkansas product has officially earned a spot on the Cincinnati Bengals' active roster.
The Bengals announced the move Tuesday, signing Hudson to the active roster as part of a broader roster shake-up that also included placing cornerback Jalen Davis on injured reserve and elevating safety Beau Brade. For Hudson, a tight end out of Magnolia, AR, it's a meaningful step up from the practice squad and a reward for the work he's been putting in during the 2026 campaign.
The timing tracks. Just days before the move, Hudson logged two receptions for 13 yards in Cincinnati's Week 4 loss to Pittsburgh (27–30) — a modest stat line, but enough to demonstrate he belongs on an NFL field. In a tight end room where dependability and blocking matter as much as receiving numbers, Hudson made the case that he could contribute at a moment when the Bengals needed to make a call.
Hudson has carved out an NFL career the hard way. Undrafted out of Southern Arkansas, he's bounced around the league since breaking through with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, when he was a fan favorite for his unexpected production as a rookie. Getting another active roster opportunity with Cincinnati shows that teams around the league still see a role for him.
No other Southern Arkansas alumni posted notable stats during the September 27–October 3 window. Cornerback Melvin Smith Jr. remains on the Kansas City Chiefs' roster, and linebacker David Walker continues to hold a spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though neither generated headlines this week.
The spotlight this week belongs to Hudson — a Mulerider making the most of his shot in Cincinnati.
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