The Cincinnati Bengals made a move that didn’t dominate the transaction wire but could quietly impact their Week 1 matchup. On September 6, the team elevated defensive tackle Mike Pennel from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game in Cleveland. It’s a standard elevation, so he’ll revert after the opener unless the Bengals create a permanent roster spot.
Pennel signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad on September 1, just days after the Kansas City Chiefs released him at final cuts. The 34-year-old has logged 138 career games with the Packers, Jets, Chiefs, Falcons, and Bears. He isn’t a pass rusher—just 2.5 career sacks—but has built his reputation as a 330-pound run plugger who can add much needed depth to the Bengals defensive front.
Pennel adjusting to Cincinnati
“Most definitely, it was fun meeting all the guys, hitting the ground running, trying to grasp the playbook, lots of information. But it was a good day,” Pennel told WLWT’s Charlie Clifford after practice.
When asked why he’s still grinding at age 34, Pennel said: “Competitive edge, love of the game. You know, anytime you can play for somebody that has a genuine chance in the playoffs, and even further than that, it’s not hard to get up and do it when you’ve got that other opportunity.”
That mindset resonates with Cincinnati’s defensive line, where veterans B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins are now paired with rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson. Pennel isn’t expected to be a star, but his presence gives the group stability as the younger linemen adjust to NFL speed, and the Bengals defense can get a plug and play known commodity.
New coordinator Al Golden takes over after Lou Anarumo’s departure, and his front is looking to produce with a variety of young and veteran players. Hill and Rankins can penetrate gaps, but Pennel offers the profile of a true space-eater. His presence allows Golden to rotate his lineup without losing size and power, something the defense often lacked a year ago.
Why Week 1 is the perfect test
The Cleveland Browns still lean on the ground game. Even after losing Nick Chubb early last season, they finished third in rushing attempts and averaged 143.7 yards per game, most in the AFC, per Pro Football Reference.
That’s where Pennel’s presence matters. In Kansas City last season, he handled a steady early-down role and helped keep opponents under four yards a carry. Dropping him into Cincinnati’s rotation gives Al Golden another option to eat snaps, letting Hill and Rankins stay fresher against a Browns offense that leans heavily on the run, particularly on first down. It may not grab headlines, but those kinds of hidden snaps often swing divisional games decided in the trenches.
Bottom line
The Chiefs’ decision to cut Pennel gave the Bengals an opening, and the Bengals didn’t hesitate to act. In a division where the Bengals face Derrick Henry twice a year, the more depth along the line of scrimmage, the better. If Pennel can still anchor against the run similar to the way he did in the past with Kansas City, this under-the-radar move could end up being one of the Bengals’ most important depth plays of the season.
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