The Bengals signed Heyward to a one-year contract Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward spent time on injured reserve in 2025 due to a lower leg injury but was able to play in the final four games of the regular season. He mostly contributed on special teams and finished with 16 tackles (four solo) across 12 games.

The Bengals activated Heyward (lower leg) from injured reserve Friday, and he does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward had his 21-day practice window open Wednesday and was a full participant in all three practices during Week 15 prep, which was enough for the Bengals to activate him from IR ahead of Sunday's game. Heyward has mostly served on special teams and has logged 10 takcles (four solo) through eight regular-season games.

Heyward (lower leg) has been ruled out for Cincinnati's matchup versus the Bills on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward was designated to return from injured reserve, but the team will wait at least one more week before officially activating him. Sunday's game will mark the 25-year-old's fifth consecutive absence, but he'll aim to be good to go for the Week 15 matchup versus Baltimore.

Heyward (lower leg) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Duke product has missed Cincinnati's last four games after sustaining a hairline fracture in his fibula during the Week 8 loss to the Jets, but it now appears he's nearing a return. In eight appearances this season, Heyward has played 137 total snaps (130 on special teams, seven on defense) and tallied 10 total tackles. Once fully healthy, he's expected to operate as one of the Bengals' top special-teamers.

The Bengals placed Heyward (fibula) on injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward sustained a hairline fracture to his fibula during the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the Jets. He'll be required to miss at least the next four games and would be eligible to return in Week 14 against the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 7. However, the severity of the injury means Heyward will likely be sidelined beyond that four-game window. He mostly contributed on special teams through the first eight games of the regular season, but his absence will also deplete the Bengals' depth at linebacker.

Heyward suffered a hairline fracture to his fibula during Sunday's 39-38 loss to the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward has played 137 total snaps (130 on special teams, seven on defense) over the Bengals' first eight games this season, recording 10 total tackles. Now that he's expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks, Cincinnati's special-teams unit will likely feel his absence.

Heyward (lower leg) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward exited the game with a left fibula injury. The 25-year-old linebacker is primarily a special teams player, logging 127 special teams snaps so far this season. His absence will create a void in the unit.