Bozeman Hits Injured Reserve, Bengals Snag Jack Kiser: What It Means For Their LB Crew

The Bengals just pulled off a couple of quick roster moves on Monday, shaking up their linebacker corps by claiming Jack Kiser off waivers from the Jaguars. This isn’t just a paper shuffle either, as Kiser immediately steps into the roster spot left open by Swayze Bozeman, who’s been placed on injured reserve.

Kiser’s Arrival: A Fresh Face in the Linebacker Room

So, who’s Jack Kiser? The Bengals clearly saw something they liked, picking him up after the Jaguars waived him on Saturday. He didn’t see any game action for Jacksonville this season, which might make you pause, but dig a little deeper. Kiser was a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, and as a rookie, he actually got on the field in 14 games. He recorded 14 tackles during that run, seeing most of his playing time on special teams. That’s a good sign right there. Any time you can bring in a guy with that kind of special teams experience who’s just a year out from being a fourth-rounder, you gotta be optimistic about the upside. They need that depth, especially with the injury bug hitting.

Bozeman Down, Next Man Up Mentality

The reason for this quick change? Swayze Bozeman is heading to injured reserve after he hurt his forearm in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. Talk about a tough break for the guy, especially after he’d been making an impact this season. Bozeman had already racked up four tackles in his four appearances for the Bengals. Plus, he’s got a bit of a journeyman vibe, having played for the Giants and Chiefs before landing with the Bengals. It’s never easy to see a guy go down, but this is the NFL, right? It’s always about the “next man up” mentality, and Kiser is that guy right now.

With Bozeman sidelined, Kiser’s role is going to be something to watch. Will he jump straight into special teams duty, mirroring his rookie season, or could the Bengals envision a bigger role for him defensively as they navigate the mid-season grind? The immediate need is depth, and they just grabbed a guy who knows what it’s like to contribute. We’ll be keeping an eye on how Kiser gets integrated and what kind of jolt he brings to the Bengals’ linebacker unit in the coming weeks.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.