The signing of Brightwell presumably ends any chances of Leonard Fournette landing in Cincinnati. Brightwell is a four-year veteran of the league who has a rushing line of 41-164-1. He has also caught 11 passes for 92 yards. Brightwell will start on the Bengals’ practice squad with a chance to be elevated in the coming days/weeks. This signing doesn’t move the needle from a fantasy perspective.

Brightwell was released with a waived/injured designation. The three-year pro has contributed primarily on special teams and has just 52 offensive touches to his name. Brightwell was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 2021 and should have a chance to catch on with another team in training camp if healthy. In addition to the release of Brightwell, the Giants also signed safety Elijah Riley, who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers in a backup role.

Brightwell functioned as the Giants’ No. 2 back behind Matt Breida, who had 14 carries for a meager 30 yards. No one in the New York backfield is fantasy viable while Saquon Barkley (ankle) is sidelined. Brightwell should remain on waiver wires.

Matt Breida dominated the Giants’ backfield snaps in Saquon Barkley’s absence, but Brightwell tied him in touches and out-produced him 36-18. Neither back, of course, covered themselves in glory on an awful offensive night for the Giants against a dominant defense. Week 4 opponent Seattle is far more permissive on the ground, but there isn’t a FLEX case to be made for Brightwell in 12-team leagues for that one.