The Bengals walked into 2026 with a clear weak spot on defense, and the early returns from Week 1 suggest that spot may not be nearly as shaky as it looked on paper.
Cincinnati handed the second-level job to Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., two linebackers who had plenty of room to grow after rough rookie seasons. They still missed some tackles in the opener, so the concern isn’t gone.
But the misses weren’t the kind that wrecked the whole day. The lone ugly one came when Carter missed Baker Mayfield in space, and that turned into a rushing touchdown.
Outside of that, the damage was limited compared with the chaos the Bengals lived through in 2025.
That matters heading into Week 2 against Houston, because the Texans were already exposed in their opener. Josh Allen carved them up, and now Cincinnati gets a chance to see whether its own front seven can keep the pressure on. In a twist that would have sounded ridiculous not long ago, the Bengals might actually have the edge at linebacker.
That comparison gets even more interesting with Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on injured reserve. DeMeco Ryans still gives Houston credibility in that room, and his reputation as a franchise legend at the position carries weight. But if the choice is between Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter on one side and Azeez Al-Shaair and Jake Hansen on the other, the Bengals’ pair suddenly looks awfully appealing.
Even if Swayze Bozeman ends up being part of the equation for Cincinnati, the confidence level stays high. Bozeman was a waiver-wire pickup in May, took advantage of an open competition, and earned a spot on the 53-man roster. He also brings the best athletic profile of the group.
The bigger reason for optimism is the way Cincinnati’s rebuilt defensive line has started to change the picture behind it. The Bengals believed that stronger play up front would help Carter and Knight settle in as second-year players, and Week 1 gave them reason to believe it. Tampa Bay came into that game with a solid offensive front, but Cincinnati still managed to shut down everyone not named Baker Mayfield and kept the quarterback under constant heat.
That’s a promising sign against Houston, especially after the Texans struggled to create room for David Montgomery, who finished with 20 carries for 60 yards, and watched C.J. Stroud lose two fumbles, including the one that ended the game on Houston’s final possession.
Carter forced a touchback fumble from Mayfield, and Knight turned another Baker giveaway into a touchdown after Carter helped create the turnover. Those plays carried real weight and covered up the missed tackles that did show up.
If Week 1 was the first hint, Week 2 could be the next step. The Bengals’ front seven may be ready to hit Houston hard, and the players piling up tackles might end up looking stronger than the position group the Texans’ head coach knows best.
In Other News...
Bengals May Have Found A Rookie Defensive Spark Already
For a defense that spent much of the offseason under scrutiny, the Bengals got an immediate jolt from a pair of rookies in their Week 1 win over Tampa Bay. Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. both played with the kind of urgency Cincinnati was hoping to see early, and their presence showed up in the kind of moments that can change a game, with the defense helping create four turnovers while holding the Buccaneers to 282 yards.
Zac Taylor was quick to note how confidently the two linebackers handled themselves and how much command they showed in the middle of the defense. For a team trying to stabilize that side of the ball, rookie contributions are one thing, but rookie contributions that translate into takeaways are another, and Cincinnati will be watching closely to see whether this opening-week spark can become something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Caught A Break Before A Tough Trip To Houston
Houston will be missing some of the familiar names that usually make it a difficult place to play, which gives Cincinnati a little extra breathing room heading into a road game that already carried plenty of weight. The Texans have ruled out wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and starting guard Ed Ingram because of injuries, thinning out both sides of the ball as the Bengals prepare for another test away from home.
For Cincinnati, the timing matters because Joe Burrow was limited in practice with back tightness but is expected to play, keeping the offense on track for a trip that now looks a bit less daunting. Houston will have to sort out its lineup with Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz expected to take on bigger roles, and the Bengals will be watching to see whether the absences up front and on the edge create an opening they can press early. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Rookie Cashius Howell Is Drawing The Kind Of Praise Fans Notice
Cashius Howell has already started to make a quiet impression in Cincinnati, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role on the defensive line, that matters. The Bengals edge rusher recently talked about how the jump from Bowling Green to Texas A&M was a major adjustment, which makes the move to the NFL feel like one more demanding step in a career built on climbing levels the hard way.
What stands out now is the early feedback from inside the locker room. Amarius Mims and Shemar Stewart have both offered favorable takes on Howells ability and work habits, the kind of praise that tends to travel quickly around a team and stick with fans who are watching for signs of which young players can help soon. For a Bengals defense looking to add more dependable pieces up front, Howells early reception is worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]