The Cincinnati Bengals have some injury woes chasing them to Madrid that could cause them to get active at the NFL trade deadline. 

One of those sour points is at tight end, where Erick All recently joined Tanner Hudson on injured reserve, leaving the Bengals short at a key spot in Joe Burrow’s offense. 

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell might’ve just found a solid trade deadline solution for the Bengals. 

There, Barnwell wrote that Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders might be a “bargain” buy for the Bengals. 

“He needs a change of scenery, and while the Panthers have clearly soured on him, Sanders' athleticism and ability after the catch played up in 2024,” Barnwell wrote. “He would be an interesting receiving tight end option for the Bengals as a replacement for Hudson.”

Sanders, a fourth-round pick in 2024, averaged better than 10 yards per catch across 33 catches as a rookie before the dreaded sophomore slump last year and being a non-factor this year. 

For the Bengals, finding a Hudson-like replacement at the deadline would be ideal. Mike Gesicki is a big receiver, Drew Sample is a blocker and rookie Jack Endries is still developing. 

On paper, we’re talking about a small asking price for a 23-year-old tight end who, if nothing else, could help boost the depth at a problem area for the Bengals.