The Cincinnati Bengals released defensive tackle Mike Pennel among a series of roster moves Tuesday.
Pennel, a 12-year NFL veteran, joined the Bengalsâ practice squad on Sept. 1. He appeared in eight games with the Bengals, totaling 15 tackles (four solo).
As part of a busy day of transactions, the Bengals also placed linebacker Shaka Heyward (fibula) and center Matt Lee (knee) on the Reserve/Injured list.
Cincinnati (3-5) hosts the Chicago Bears in Week 9.
Well-Traveled Veteran Has Won 2 Super Bowls
The 34-year-old Pennel has played for six NFL organizations, appearing in 146 games with 25 starts. He has recorded 246 tackles, five sacks, and three fumble recoveries.
Pennel is perhaps best known for his time in Kansas City. Heâs had two separate stints with the Chiefs: first from 2019-20, and again from 2023-24. He won two Super Bowls (LIV, LVIII) but was released in August as part of final roster cuts.
Pennel has also played for the Green Bay Packers (2014-16), New York Jets (2017-18), Atlanta Falcons (2021) and Bears (2022).
Pennel Was Beloved Figure in Chiefs’ Locker Room
Pennel was a fan favorite in Kansas City and a respected veteran in the locker room. In 17 games (seven starts) for the Chiefs last season, Pennel had 25 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery.
Although the Chiefs cut ties with Pennel late in the summer, some of his former teammates urged Kansas City to bring him back to boost their struggling run defense.
âHopefully, life goes full circle when we get my guy back,â All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones said earlier this month. âMike Pennel is a heck of a locker-room guy. And so many things I can say about my brother. We got to get my brother back.â
Pro Football Focus (PFF) currently grades the 6-foot-4, 332-pound Pennel as the 60th-best interior defensive lineman among 127 eligible players. Heâs played 133 total snaps, including 111 on defense.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bengals Release Veteran 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Defensive Tackle appeared first on Heavy Sports.