Kris Jenkins Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Developing Bengals defense ready for a strong Cardinals passing game

The Cincinnati Bengals defense is looking to build on a newfound confidence as they host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Joe Burrow's bounce-back game gives the Bengals momentum going into final 2 games of the season

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow bounced back from a tough game with a stellar performance

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Officially placed on IR Jenkins (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve list Friday.

Impact The second-year pro from Michigan sustained an ankle injury in the Week 15 loss to the Ravens and will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Through 14 appearances this year, Jenkins recorded 36 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and one pass defensed. Expect McKinnley Jackson to have a larger role on the Bengals' defensive line with Jenkins out for the year.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will shift to IR Head coach Zac Taylor said Friday that Jenkins (ankle) will be placed on injured reserve, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Once Jenkins is officially placed on injured reserve, he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. He sprained his ankle in Cincinnati's Week 15 loss to the Ravens. Jenkins finishes his second NFL campaign with 1.5 sacks among his 36 tackles (18 solo).

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves with ankle injury Jenkins departed Sunday's game against the Ravens with a left ankle injury and his return is doubtful.

Impact Jenkins had three tackles prior to the injury, one solo. For the season, the second-year tackle from Michigan has 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

The Conversation | Kris Jenkins Jr. On Breaking Out: 'There's A Whole Level That I Still Got In Me' Bengals’ second-year defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. is showing all the signs of a breakout season, particularly after his 1.5 sacks and s...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • BENGALS.COM

Solid in pass rush in Week 3 loss Jenkins registered six tackles (two solo), including 1.5 sacks, in Sunday's loss to Minnesota.

Impact Though the Bengals were blown out badly, Jenkins was a bright spot by bringing down Carson Wentz twice. The first was a split sack with Myles Murphy, while Jenkins' second QB takedown was a solo sack. His sack total Sunday put him already to the halfway mark of the 3.0 sacks he posted over 15 regular-season games as a rookie last year.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals need to address Jake Browning's interceptions, lack of run game after record-setting defeat

Cincinnati Bengals fans over the years have learned to expect the worst

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Records 3.0 sacks in rookie season Jenkins played in 15 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 31 tackles (10 solo), including 3.0 sacks.

Impact Jenkins was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 49th overall. He missed the first two games of the regular season after undergoing a procedure on his thumb, but he was able to make his NFL regular-season debut against the Commanders in Week 3. He logged his first NFL sack in Week 9 against the Raiders, and he had arguably his best game in Week 16 against the Browns when he registered 2.0 sacks on Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Jenkins could join fellow rookie McKinnley Jackson as the Bengals' starting defensive tackles in 2025 if veteran B.J. Hill opts to leave in free agency.

JANUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Amarius Mims, Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson Beef Up Bengals In AFC North | QUICK HITS The Bengals defensive tackle tandem hit the draft day double late during Sunday’s 24-6 lockdown of the Browns.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

Logs two sacks vs. Browns Jenkins recorded two total tackles (both solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 24-6 win over the Browns.

Impact Jenkins had one of the best games of his young career in Sunday's blowout win, taking down Dorian Thompson-Robinson for his second and third sacks of the year. The 2024 second-round pick from Michigan has accumulated 28 total tackles through 13 appearances this season, and he's expected to remain one of Cincinnati's top rotational interior defensive linemen as the year progresses.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs pair of sacks vs. Browns Jenkins recorded 2.0 sacks in Sunday's 24-6 win over the Browns.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records first NFL sack Jenkins totaled five tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 41-24 Week 9 win over Las Vegas.

Impact Jenkins' tackle total was a career high, and he logged his first NFL sack with a takedown of Desmond Ridder in the fourth quarter. The rookie second-round draft pick has been getting steady playing time, logging over half of the Bengals' defensive snaps in four of his past five games. Jenkins has tallied 14 tackles (five solo) over seven games on the season.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kris Jenkins Jr. Gets A Handle on More Time; Ja'Marr Chase Catches History | Quick Hits After leading last Sunday’s fourth-down goal line stand that set the tone for the Bengals’ victory in Carolina, prized rookie defensive tack...

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

Active for NFL debut Jenkins (thumb) is active for Monday night's game against Washington.

Impact This will be Jenkins' NFL debut after he missed the first two games of the season. Jenkins was a second-round pick by Cincinnati in the 2024 NFL Draft. He'll be needed with both Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) and B.J. Hill (hamstring) out Monday night.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Draws questionable tag for Week 3 Jenkins (thumb) was a full participant in Saturday's practice and is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Commanders, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Impact Jenkins was limited during the first two practices of the week, but the fact he participated without restrictions Saturday bodes well for his chances of playing Monday. Starting defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) and B.J. Hill (hamstring) are listed as out and doubtful, respectively. If Hill cannot play, then Jay Tufele and Zachary Carter will be the starting defensive tackles for Monday's game, while Jenkins and Lawrence Guy will provide depth in rotation.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals Rookie DT Kris Jenkins Jr. Set For NFL Debut; Amarius Mims Goes Full | Quick Hits Bengals second-round pick Kris Jenkins Jr. literally joins the club when he makes his NFL debut at defensive tackle Monday night (8:15-Cinci...

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

Limited in practice Friday Jenkins (thumb) was a limited participant in Friday's practice session, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Impact Jenkins underwent surgery for a thumb injury he sustained in practice leading up to Week 1 against the Patriots. He's been sidelined for the first two games of the regular season, but the rookie second-round pick managed to log back-to-back limited practice sessions to start the week. That bodes well for his chance of suiting up for his NFL debut Monday against the Commanders.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out again for Week 2 Jenkins (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Impact The second-round rookie needed surgery on his thumb last week and will have to wait at least another week before making his NFL debut. B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, Jay Tufele and Zachary Carter will handle the reps along the interior of Cincinnati's defensive line.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Michigan Football News: Kris Jenkins Jr. to Miss Bengals Opener After Thumb Surgery Cincinnati Bengals rookie Kris Jenkins Jr.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Michigan Football News: Kris Jenkins Jr. to Miss Bengals Opener After Thumb Surgery Cincinnati Bengals rookie Kris Jenkins Jr.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Needs surgery, out for Week 1 Jenkins (thumb) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Impact Jenkins requires surgery to address a thumb issue sustained in practice this week, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports. Coach Zac Taylor said the rookie second-round pick will be evaluated at practice next week, though, so it sounds like Jenkins could be a candidate to play as early as Week 2 versus the Chiefs.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bengals Notebook: Another Mega Maema Game; Kris Jenkins Jr. Wants More Than A Sack; Josh Newton Won't Forget Short Memory CHICAGO _ Another NFL game and another productive one for Bengals rookie linebacker Maema Njongmeta with seven more team-leading tackles.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

Quick Hits: Bengals Backup Defense Stands Up To Bears Starters; Money Mac Cashes 2-Minute Drill; Kris Jenkins Jr. Sack; WR Jermaine Burton Hopes To Become Returner, Too CHICAGO _Bears No. 1 overall pick Caleb Wiliams may have danced into the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown run in his Soldier Field debut S...

AUGUST 17, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

Bengals Rookie DT Kris Jenkins Jr. Digs In To Continue Family's NFL Legacy Images. Snapshots. Freeze frames. Piece together the memories and you get a collage of the Jenkins NFL family album.

JUNE 6, 2024 • BENGALS.COM

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Developing Bengals defense ready for a strong Cardinals passing game

Joe Burrow's bounce-back game gives the Bengals momentum going into final 2 games of the season

Bengals need to address Jake Browning's interceptions, lack of run game after record-setting defeat