Bengals rookie changes his jersey number right before Week 1

The Cincinnati Bengals had a few interesting bits of jersey number drama after the 2024 rookie class earned their numbers.

By far the biggest was hyped wideout Jermaine Burton getting issued the No. 81 instead of the No. 3 he wore in college. Fans wanted to see him form the “513” Cincinnati area code alongside Ja’Marr Chase (1) and Tee Higgins (5).

Some fans noticed a perceived issue with the jersey number of third-round rookie defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, too, though.

Jackson started his summer with the Bengals wearing the No. 68. But now on the team’s roster, he’s No. 93.

It feels like a good move for Jackson, as his old number feels like it belongs to offensive linemen, not guys tasked with plugging the run and getting after quarterbacks.

Fans will have to wait and see if the number change helps Jackson be a little luckier, though — he’s starting his rookie year on injured reserve after suffering an injury that forced the team to make roster moves after final cuts.