Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner and his wife, Whitney, shared devastating news on Friday: they lost their baby boy at 16 weeks into the pregnancy.
The announcement came just four weeks after Whitney had posted that the couple was expecting their first child. At the time, she wrote, “Baby Risner, we can’t wait to meet you this year!” Now, that moment of excitement has given way to a painful loss for the family.
Whitney addressed the tragedy in an emotional Instagram post, thanking people for their support while speaking candidly about the grief they’re carrying. She also offered encouragement to others who have been through the same kind of heartbreak.
“I wish I was writing any other post than this right now,” Whitney wrote. “I never imagined our journey to starting a family would begin like this.”
She said the loss has brought pain she never expected to experience.
“This loss has introduced me to a depth of pain and heartbreak that I never knew existed,” she wrote. “It feels like I’ve lost so much… our precious baby boy, pieces of myself, and the future I had planned out for the past 4 months.”
Whitney also leaned on her faith as she tried to make sense of what comes next.
“I don’t know exactly what the future holds, and that uncertainty is incredibly hard. But even in the midst of heartbreak and grief, I know God is still good,” she wrote.
She made clear how much Dalton has meant to her through the ordeal.
“More than ever, I’ve realized how important it is who you marry and choose to walk through life with,” she said. “I truly can’t imagine getting through this without my rock and best friend, @dalton_risner66.”
Whitney, a former college basketball player who founded the jewelry company WAAWEES and has more than one million TikTok followers, also said this was the couple’s “second loss in just a couple of months.”
She closed by thanking friends, family, and supporters for their prayers and kindness, while also speaking directly to others facing similar pain.
“If you’re walking this same painful road, I want you to know that you are not alone,” she wrote.
Risner joined the Bengals in 2025 after stints with the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. He entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick in 2019 and has started 93 regular season and postseason games.
In Other News...
George Pickens Timing Could Set Up Browns' Next Real WR Splash
George Pickens next move may not matter much for Cleveland right now, but the timing is starting to line up in a way the Browns have to notice. Dallas used a non-exclusive franchise tag on the wide receiver for 2026, which keeps his market limited for now, yet it also sets up a path where he could be back on the open market in 2027 if things play out as expected. For a Browns team that has been circling the idea of a bigger swing at receiver, that kind of runway matters.
Louis Riddick has already suggested Pickens and the Cowboys are headed for a split after the 2026 season, and Cleveland would look like a natural landing spot if he ever gets there. The Browns have also been signaling that they are still a step away from being truly aggressive in free agency, which makes this more than just a name to file away. A trade would almost certainly be too rich to entertain, but a future bidding war for a proven playmaker is exactly the sort of opportunity that could fit their timeline. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Have Found The Nickel Answer In An Overlooked Rookie
The Browns added Nate Evans as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, and the rookie cornerback has already drawn attention for more than just his path to Cleveland. At Delaware, Evans turned in a strong 2025 season and earned Defensive MVP honors in the 68 Ventures Bowl, giving the Browns at least one intriguing developmental piece as they sort through options in the nickel.
Corico Wright, who coached Evans at Delaware and now works as Clemsons nickelbacks coach, sounded convinced the Browns are looking at a player who brings the right mix of talent and habits. Wright praised Evans skills, work ethic and character, and said the traits that should translate fastest are his speed, athleticism and versatility. He also pointed to the kind of film-room and locker-room presence that can matter for a young defensive back trying to stick in the NFL. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Monken Is Already Stirring A Real Browns Culture Debate
Todd Monken is stepping into his first season as the Browns head coach with a reputation that has followed him for years, and it is already giving Cleveland something it has not had in a while: a real conversation about what the offense should look and feel like. Former players have been quick to point to more than just the Xs and Os, describing him as a coach who brings both structure and credibility, the kind of presence that can matter just as much in the meeting room as on Sundays.
Cecil Shorts III is among the former players who have helped fuel that buzz, and the praise around Monken has centered on his authenticity and his ability to connect with players. For a Browns offense that is being asked to reset its standards, that matters because the debate is no longer only about scheme. It is about whether Monken can establish accountability and a tougher edge, and whether that approach can take hold quickly enough to change the culture around the unit. [Read more 🡒]