Bengals LB Barrett Carter has won Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his performance in Week 12, the NFL announced today. Carter is the first Bengals rookie to win Rookie of the Week since WR Ja'Marr Chase won it in Week 17 of 2021. He's the second rookie nominated this season after LB Demetrius Knight Jr. was nominated in Week 1.
The fourth-round pick from Clemson beat out Titans QB Cam Ward, Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty, Browns RB Dylan Sampson, Giants DT Darius Alexander and Texans S Jaylen Reed to take home the award.
Carter had 16 tackles in Week 12, the second-most tackles by a Bengals rookie since 1994. It was the fourth-most takedowns by any Bengal since 1994, and Carter's eight solo tackles were tied for the most by a Bengals defender in a game this season.
Carter has become a full-time starter for the Cincinnati defense after the Bengals sent LB Logan to the Dallas Cowboys at the trade deadline, wearing the green dot and playing alongside Knight. The rookie tandem has 78 tackles apiece this season, ranking third on the team behind Jordan Battle (82) and Geno Stone (80).
After the regular season, six players will be nominated for Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on nfl.com/rookies throughout January.
Check out the best game photos from Bengals-Patriots Week 12 game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati.
TE Mike Gesicki celebrates a first down during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
RB Chase Brown runs the ball during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
LB Barrett Carter makes a tackle during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. celebrates a stop during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
K Evan McPherson and LS William Wagner celebrate a field goal during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
TE Mike Gesicki celebrates a first down during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
C Ted Karras and OT Orlando Brown Jr. served as captains during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
The Bengals defense celebrates a touchdown during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
S Geno Stone intercepts a pass during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
S Geno Stone and CB DJ Turner II celebrate Stone's interception returned for a touchdown during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) receives the hand off during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) intercepts a pass for a pick six during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
RB Chase Brown breaks off a run during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
K Evan McPherson makes a franchise-record 63-yard field goal during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
K Evan McPherson celebrates a franchise-record 63-yard field goal during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals place kicker Evan McPherson (2) kicks a 63-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill (23) reacts during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (43) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr. (98) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (90) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Mitch Tinsley celebrates a touchdown with TE Tanner Hudson during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (82) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Mitch Tinsley scores a touchdown during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
QB Joe Flacco looks to pass while C Ted Karras blocks during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
DE Cedric Johnson during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
CB DJ Turner II during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
The Bengals defense before a snap during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
K Evan McPherson makes a field goal during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
TE Noah Fant runs after the catch during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
OT Amarius Mims blocks during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
CBs DJ Turner II and Jalen Davis break up a pass during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
CB Jalen Davis celebrates a play during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
QB Jake Browning throws the ball to WR Andrei Iosivas during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
WR Mitch Tinsley makes a catch during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. celebrates a goal-line stand during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
QB Joe Flacco looks to throw during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
WR Tee Higgins runs after the catch during Week 12 against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
