Bengals Claim LB Jack Kiser, Place Swayze Bozeman on Injured Reserve
On Oct. 12, 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals claimed linebacker Jack Kiser off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars and placed linebacker Swayze Bozeman on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s transaction log. ESPN’s transaction log listed the moves among the latest roster adjustments for the 3-2 Bengals. These roster moves follow a busy stretch of activity for Cincinnati in late September and early October.
The team elevated defensive back Russ Yeast from the practice squad on Oct. 10. The log shows wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams on the practice squad entries on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, reflecting duplicate listings in the transaction record. On Sept. 29 the Bengals promoted tight end Tanner Hudson and wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to the active roster and placed cornerback Jalen Davis on injured reserve. The club also added safeties Isaiah Nwokobia and Beau Brade to the practice squad that day, per the log.
On Sept. 26 the Bengals placed wide receiver Andrei Iosivas on injured reserve and signed linebacker Joe Giles-Harris to the active roster from the practice squad. The club elevated quarterback Josh Johnson and Giles-Harris from the practice squad on Sept. 19 and elevated Giles-Harris and Hudson on Sept. 12. The transaction record shows Cincinnati stocked the practice squad on Sept. 1 with players including Josh Johnson, Tanner Hudson, cornerback Trikweze Bridges, offensive tackle Blake Freeland and defensive end Garmon Randolph.
During the offseason Cincinnati made several front-seven additions, according to the transaction log. The record shows the club acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants and includes entries on April 19 and April 20 reflecting the acquisition and a two-year contract extension. Cincinnati also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen on March 13 and added defensive end Boye Mafe, offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and safety Bryan Cook on March 12, per the log. The team re-signed quarterback Joe Flacco on March 25 and re-signed guard Dalton Risner on March 2, according to the record.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Placing Swayze Bozeman on injured reserve removes a linebacker from the active roster and the claim of Jack Kiser provides depth at the position. The Bengals have relied on practice-squad elevations to cover short-term needs, as shown by multiple promotions and transactions in September and October. The April additions to the defensive line underscore Cincinnati’s emphasis on bolstering the front seven heading into the season. With injuries to the secondary and receiving corps reflected in the transaction log, the team is shuffling personnel between the active roster and practice squad to maintain depth as the season progresses.