Vernon Hargreaves III Fantasy Stats

The Cincinnati Bengals claimed former Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves off waivers on Thursday, according to a source. The former first-rounder had an interception and three passes defensed in eight games (five starts) for the Texans this year before they waived him on Tuesday. With Trae Waynes currently on Injured Reserve, Hargreaves will serve as secondary depth for the Bengals. In 65 career games (57 starts), he has four interceptions and 31 passes defensed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Texans. The Bengals also activated offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji from the Non-Football Injury list and waived defensive end Darius Hodge and cornerback Nick McCloud on Thursday.

The Houston Texans agreed to re-sign cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Hargreaves was a first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016 and was acquired by Houston in 2019 off waivers from Tampa. He's still only 25 years old and started all 16 games for the Texans last season while recording 72 tackles and seven passes defended. The 2020 campaign was one of Hargreaves' most promising seasons of his young career, so perhaps he's found a new home in Houston. He'll be working under new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, the former head coach of the Chicago Bears. The Texans secondary must improve if they hope to contend in 2021 and beyond.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are placing cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (shoulder) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hargreaves is dealing with a serious shoulder injury and may not return this year. That's really bad news for a Bucs secondary that is also missing Brent Grimes. The Saints and quarterback Drew Brees threw all over Tampa in the season opener, and things could get worse from here. That's good news for Eagles QB Nick Foles, who should be much better than he was in Week 1 last Thursday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (shoulder) may have a serious shoulder injury and will be examined by Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. Hargreaves was injured late in the Week 1 win over the Saints and could be looking at an extended absence, possibly for the rest of the season. With Brent Grimes also hurt, Tampa's already thin secondary is already on life support early in the year. The Bucs may be forced to sign free-agent corner Bashaud Breeland. Tampa is set to face the defending-champion Eagles in Week 2, where either Nick Foles or Carson Wentz (knee) could have a field day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves has continuously made great plays this preseason, both in games and in practices, which has led HC Dirk Koetter to bump him up to the first team already. He has responded well, coming down with interceptions in joint practices and intrasquad matchups. He also worked down in the slot with Brent Grimes and Alterraun Verner working the outside in a 3-DB drill, showing his versatility. He may very well be a star in the making, as he certainly hasn't done anything to dissuade one from thinking this way. While Tampa Bay's defense hasn't been a viable fantasy option for years now, they might just be creeping back into the conversation now if their secondary can play as well as their front seven does against the rush.