Tahj Brooks - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Limited offensive work in 2025 Brooks rushed 16 times for 45 yards and caught one of two targets for nine yards across 16 regular-season games in 2025. Additionally, he tallied 258 kick return yards.

Impact The 2025 sixth-round pick from Texas Tech logged just 47 offensive snaps while playing behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine during the 2025 season. However, Brooks was a valuable contributor on special teams, logging the third-most kick return yards on the Bengals while averaging 25.8 yards per attempt. Both Brown and Perine remain under contract for 2026, so Brooks will likely play another depth role in Cincinnati's backfield next year.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Three mop-up carries Brooks carried the ball three times for 10 yards and had one catch for nine yards late in the Bengals' win over the Cardinals.

Impact Brooks didn't come into the game until late, with Joe Flacco at the helm and the Bengals protecting a four-score lead. He's had scant work all season as the Bengals' third running back.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returning Sunday Brooks (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.

Impact Brooks was a full practice participant Thursday and Friday, suggesting he's cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Now fully healthy, the rookie from Texas Tech is likely to contribute on special teams while playing behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine in the Bengals' backfield.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full session Thursday Brooks (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Impact Brooks has officially cleared step five of the league's five-step concussion protocol, as he was evidently cleared for full practice by an independent neurological consultant. The running back should be set to suit up behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine for Sunday's road contest with the Bills.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bills host Bengals in matchup of AFC teams with recent history of dominant December records

The Buffalo Bills host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in a meeting of two AFC teams with a recent history of December dominance, and a quarterback showdown between Josh Allen and...

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Logs limited session Wednesday Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters that Brooks (concussion) will practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Impact Brooks was sidelined for the Bengals' Week 13 win over the Ravens after sustaining a concussion the game prior. His limited practice session Wednesday is an encouraging sign for his return, though he still needs to clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Bills. If active for the Week 14 contest, Brooks will likely play behind both Chase Brown and Samaje Perine in Cincinnati's backfield.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Burrow is nearing his return and the Bengals will need to win out to have a winning season

The only thing it looks like Joe Burrow has to play for when he returns for the Bengals this week is trying to avoid a losing record

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Won't play in Week 13 Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Monday that Brooks (concussion) won't play in Thursday night's matchup against the Ravens, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Impact The rookie running back from Texas Tech sustained a concussion in the Week 12 loss to the Patriots, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Thursday. Brooks has appeared in all 11 of the Bengals' games this season, rushing nine times for 28 yards while also contributing on special teams (130 snaps). While he's out in Week 13, expect Gary Brightwell to have an expanded role in the backfield.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Enters concussion protocol Brooks has been diagnosed with a concussion and will not return to Sunday's game against the Patriots, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Impact Brooks has entered the league's concussion protocol after being evaluated by medical staff and will not return. Practice squad running back Gary Brightwell will serve as Chase Brown's backup the rest of the way due to the absences of Brooks and Samaje Perine (ankle). Looking ahead, Brooks is in jeopardy of being sidelined for the Bengals' Thanksgiving Day clash against the Ravens.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Possible concussion Brooks is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Impact Brooks appeared to get shaken up on the opening kickoff of the second half and is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return. With Samaje Perine (ankle) inactive, practice squad running back Gary Brightwell will provide backfield depth behind Chase Brown for as long as Brooks is out of the game.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

One touch against Pittsburgh Brooks rushed once for five yards in Sunday's 34-12 loss to the Steelers.

Impact Brooks had a quiet day against the Steelers, handling just one rush for the second straight game. The rookie operated as the No. 2 back behind Chase Brown with teammate Samaje Perine (ankle) out, but he played just seven of the Bengals' 66 offensive snaps. Barring an injury to Brown, Brooks is nothing more than an insurance policy for fantasy purposes. Next up for Cincinnati is a Week 12 home matchup against the Patriots.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

First carry since Week 3 Brooks had a carry for one yard in Sunday's loss to the Bears, picking up his first carry and even his first offensive snap since Week 3's blowout loss to the Vikings.

Impact This only happened due to Samaje Perine's high-ankle sprain early in the loss to the Bears. Brooks has mostly been an afterthought in his rookie season, but Perine is week-to-week, so Brooks might factor in against Pittsburgh in Week 11.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to special teams in Week 5 Brooks played all 12 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the Lions.

Impact After drawing some positive buzz in the spring and during training camp, Brooks has been unable to find a role on offense through the first five weeks of the season after averaging just 3.5 yards per carry on 21 totes during the preseason. Though starter Chase Brown (2.5 YPC) has gotten off to a rough start to begin the campaign, veteran backup Samaje Perine has been serviceable as a change-of-pace option behind Brown and has the trust of the coaching staff for his pass-catching and pass-blocking skills. With that in mind, Brooks may have a difficult time seeing the field as a rookie unless one of Brown or Perine misses time due to an injury.

OCTOBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to special teams in debut Brooks did not play a single offensive snap in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Browns.

Impact Brooks was a complete non-factor in the Bengals' season opener, failing to earn a single touch in the contest. Instead, the rookie running back was used solely on special teams, playing a total of 12 snaps with the unit. With Chase Brown taking the majority of snaps on offense and Samaje Perine operating as the team's No. 2 option, Brooks faces an uphill battle for playing time barring injuries. The Texas Tech product's next opportunity to get involved will come when the Bengals host the Jaguars in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Takes 14 touches for 56 yards Brooks took 11 carries for 47 yards and caught three of four targets for nine yards in a 31-17 preseason win at Washington on Monday.

Impact The rookie sixth-round pick had 10 carries for 26 yards and one catch for three yards in the preseason opener, coming in after Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. It was a similar story Monday, with Brown taking five carries on the first drive and then calling it a night. Brooks first entered midway through the first quarter and ended up playing well into the third quarter before handing things over to Kendall Milton. Brooks appears on track for a Week 1 roster spot, and while he may not initially have a role in the gameplan, he'll be needed if Brown misses time.

AUGUST 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tahj Brooks reverses his field on impressive 14-yard run Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks reverses his field on an impressive 14-yard run.

AUGUST 19, 2025 • NFL.COM

Held to 29 total yards Brooks took 10 carries for 26 yards and caught one of two targets for three yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Eagles.

Impact Chase Brown played 11 of 15 snaps for the first-team offense, with Samaje Perine taking the other four snaps but not getting any touches. Neither appeared to play at all thereafter, leaving Brooks in a three-down role for much of the game, getting snaps and touches well into the fourth quarter before Gary Brightwell took over at the end. Brooks didn't find much room to run, with his best play of the night arguably being a touchdown-saving tackle after an interception. The rookie sixth-round pick nonetheless has every chance to earn a Week 1 roster spot, as the Bengals don't have much of note in the backfield beyond Brown and Perine. Even the No. 3 RB role might put Brooks an injury away from fantasy value, seeing as Perine has largely been a passing-down specialist in the NFL.

AUGUST 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tahj Time: Bengals Rookie RB Brooks Already A Pro's Pro: 'He Majors In The Major' PHILADELPHIA _ Bengals rookie running back Tahj Brooks, once considered the face of his program at Texas Tech, hopes people start putting a...

AUGUST 7, 2025 • BENGALS.COM

Path to touches becomes clearer Brooks has clearer path to backfield work behind starter Chase Brown and Samaje Perine in the wake of Cincinnati releasing Zack Moss (neck) on Wednesday, Kelly Singh of SI.com repo...

Impact Brooks, a rookie sixth-round pick, has reportedly put together a strong start to training camp and impressed in the receiving game, per WLWT's Jaron May. With a capable veteran such as Moss around as a No. 3 option, Brooks' path to touches nonetheless looked murky, as Brown figures to dominate opportunities while Perine is a proven change-of-pace contributor. Will Moss no a free agent, however, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 reports that Brooks has become the clear No. 3 running back. If the rookie can continue to compile momentum throughout training camp, it's conceivable he could challenge Perine for the backup role.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Looks comfortable as pass catcher Brooks is making a strong impression with his pass-catching skills in practices, WLWT's Jaron May reports.

Impact Bengals HC Zac Taylor and OC Dan Pitcher both praised Brooks for his pass-catching ability during the offseason program. It now seems to be carrying over to training camp, where Brooks caught three passes in the first set of full-team drills Friday. The rookie sixth-round pick is expected to compete with Zack Moss (neck) and Samaje Perine for the second and third spots on the depth chart behind returning starter Chase Brown. The praise for Brooks' pass catching is perhaps unexpected, as he had just 548 receiving yards and two TDs in five seasons at Texas Tech, compared to 4,557 yards and 45 scores on the ground. The Bengals curiously list him at 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, which is 16 pounds above his weight from the 2025 Combine (where he ran a 4.52 40).

JULY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cincinnati Bengals rookie RB gets compared to NFL Hall Of Famer | Sporting News The Cincinnati Bengals spent a sixth-round pick on running back Tahj Brooks and the rookie has already received comparisons to a NFL Hall Of...

JULY 10, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Rookie Running Back Tahj Brooks Brings "Tahj Time" to the Bengals The sixth-round pick from Texas Tech set numerous school and conference records with the Red Raiders.

JULY 9, 2025 • BENGALS.COM

Former Clemson Star Inks Rookie Deal Barrett Carter is feeling very blessed. The former Clemson star linebacker is one of four players who signed their rookie deals with the Cin...

MAY 9, 2025 • THECLEMSONINSIDER.COM

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Bills host Bengals in matchup of AFC teams with recent history of dominant December records

Joe Burrow is nearing his return and the Bengals will need to win out to have a winning season