Top Veteran Defensive Ends Cincinnati Bengals Could Sign Following Cam Sample's Injury

The Bengals could add a veteran.

James Rapien | Aug 7, 2024

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI — Bengals defensive end Cam Sample suffered a torn Achilles in practice last week and will miss the entire 2024 season.

The Bengals will bank on guys like Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai to play a larger role with Sample out. Could they also add a veteran free agent?

Here are the top remaining defensive ends still on the market:

Yannick Ngakoue,

Ngakoue had four sacks and seven quarterback hits for the Bears last season. He isn't the player he once was, but could still give the Bengals' pass rush a boost.

Carl Lawson

Reunion time? The veteran spent the first four years of his career in Cincinnati. There are plenty of fans that would love to see him back with the Bengals, but a reunion seems unlikely. He's dealt with a bunch of injuries in his career and didn't have a sack last season. He did work out for the Cowboys recently and is firmly on the radar of NFL teams.

Charles Harris

The former first round pick could give the Bengals another proven veteran at defensive end. Right now they're banking on a lot of youth (Murphy and Ossai) behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.

It's worth noting that Ngakoue, Lawson and Harris are all 29-years-old.

Other Possible Free Agents Targets: Marquis Haynes, Shaq Lawson,

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Published Aug 7, 2024

JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien covers the Bengals for Sports Illustrated's AllBengals.com and is one-half of the Locked on Bengals Podcast. He's also the co-owner/creator of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. He earned a journalism degree from the University of Cincinnati and has spent the majority of his professional career in the Queen City. Rapien previously covered the Cavaliers and Indians in Cleveland. He has a background in radio, which includes stops at 700 WLW, ESPN 1530 and 92.3 The Fan. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn't working or eating, he's probably walking his dog Finley or spending time with family.