Bengals' lone waiver claim will help replace former college teammate on the active roster

The Cincinnati Bengals were able to make one waiver claim on Wednesday, claiming former Washington Commanders edge defender K.J. Henry.

Henry, a fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, is the newest Bengal.

Henry comes from the same Clemson defensive line that produced Myles Murphy and was coached by former Bengals defensive line coach Nick Eason. It's fitting that Henry will take the active roster spot that was opened due to Murphy's knee injury. Murphy was placed on the Reserve/Injured list during final cuts and can return after four weeks.

Only four edges were kept on the Bengals' initial 53, which was a surprisingly low number. Starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard are now backed up by Joseph Ossai, Cedric Johnson , and Henry, who played 10 games as a rookie for Washington last year.

Henry played well to conclude the 2024 preseason, totaling eight pressures and a sack with the majority of his snaps coming off the left edge according to Pro Football Focus.

The left side is where Hubbard and Murphy almost exclusively play, so Henry will be needed there. He was Clemson's starting left edge when Murphy was on the right side.

The Bengals will have to make a corresponding move to fit Henry on the 53-man roster. That could be releasing one of their six defensive tackles, five tight ends , or potentially placing a player on I.R. to return.

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