CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Here is a projection for how the Bengals 53-player roster will look like when it is finalized on Aug. 26 (note that this takes into account Trey Hendrickson playing with or without a contract extension):

Quarterback (2): Joe Burrow, Jake Browning

Running Back (3): Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks

Tight End (4): Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant. Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson (Erick All will begin season on injured reserve)

Wide Receiver (6): Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Mitchell Tinsley

Offensive Line (10): LT Orlando Brown, Jr., RT Amarius Mims, C Ted Karras, G Dylan Fairchild, G Lucas Patrick, G/OT Jalen Rivers, G/OT Cody Ford, OT Devin Cochran, G/OT Jaxson Kirkland, C Matt Lee (G Cordell Volson will begin season on injured list)

Defensive Line (9): DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Joseph Ossai, DE Myles Murphy, DE Shemar Stewart, DT B.J. Hill, DT T.J. Slaton, DT Kris Jenkins, Jr., DT McKinnley Jackson, DL Cam Sample (DE Cedric Johnson will likely begin season on injured list)

Linebackers (6): Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight, Oren Burks, Barrett Carter, Joe Giles-Harris, Shaka Heyward

Secondary (10): CB Cam Taylor-Britt, CB Dax Hill, CB DJ Turner, CB Josh Newton, CB DJ Ivey, CB Marco Wilson, S Geno Stone, S Jordan Battle, S Tycen Anderson, S PJ Jules

Specialists (3): K Evan McPherson, P Ryan Rehkow, LS Cal Adomitis

The Skinny: It won’t be surprising at all if the Bengals head to the waiver wire after Tuesday’s cuts for help at guard, safety and defensive tackle.

Tinsley didn’t play on Saturday, which indicates he has a spot wrapped up at wide receiver. Burton suffered a knee injury on Saturday, according to head coach Zac Taylor, but his timeline for return is not known. If he gets placed on injured reserve then Isaiah Williams will likely make it.

Daijahn Anthony suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday, according to Taylor, and his timeline for return is also unknown. The fact he got as many snaps as he did before the injury on Saturday doesn’t bode well for him.

The toughest roster decisions were the following:

– Lee over undrafted rookie free agent Seth McLaughlin at center. McLaughlin was hampered by his return from Achilles surgery and probably can sneak through to the practice squad.

– Keeping six linebackers and not keeping undrafted rookie free agent defensive tackle Howard Cross. Giles-Harris and Heyward had outstanding camps and were cited for such by Taylor. The odd man out at linebacker is Maema Njongmeta.