Bengals LB Demetrius Knight Jr. has been nominated for Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his performance in Week 15, the NFL announced today.
Fans can vote for Knight on www.nfl.com/rookies and on the NFL Mobile app through Thursday at 11:00 AM ET.
Knight recorded his first two sacks of his young career in Week 15 against the Ravens, taking down QB Lamar Jackson. His two takedowns moved him into a tie with Browns LB Carson Schwesinger for the most sacks by a rookie linebacker this season. He became the first Bengals rookie with multiple sacks in a game since Kris Jenkins Jr. had two against the Browns last season.
The second-round pick from South Carolina finished second on the team with six tackles in Week 15 and ranks third on the roster with 94 total tackles. They also rank second in the NFL among rookies as Knight continues to show improvement week after week.
"It's the basics. MJ and Kobe and the legends stress the basics," Knight said after the game Sunday. "How can you go to the next thing if you haven't mastered making the layup off the glass as easy as 1-2-3? It's about slowing down what's going on around me, going back and looking at installs, taking time out of practice to make the basics muscle memory so you don't flinch when it's time to make the play."
Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week Voting
Vote for LB Demetrius Knight Jr. for Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his performance in Week 15.
Saints QB Tyler Shough, Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson, Giants LB Abdul Carter and Falcons EDGE James Pearce Jr. rounded out the list of Rookie of the Week nominees.
The Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week will be announced Thursday on NFL.com.
Check out the best game photos from Bengals-Ravens Week 15 game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) celebrates after a sack against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs to throw a pass during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TE Mike Gesicki during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
RB Samaje Perine during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow looks to throw during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
The Bengals defense during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to throw a pass during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during an NFL football game on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) celebrates after a sack against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The offense presnap during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
RB Chase Brown carries the ball during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow throws the ball during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) runs the ball up the field during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. gets his second sack of the game during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
The Bengals get a sack during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) celebrates after a sack against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
QB Joe Burrow during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (87) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) huddles with teammates during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (82) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
QB Joe Burrow looks to throw during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow throws the ball during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. celebrates his second sack of the game during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LBs Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. celebrate Knight's sack during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
DE Myles Murphy sacks QB Lamar Jackson during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
Bengals defense rushes the passer during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow hands the ball off to RB Samaje Perine during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase runs after the catch during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase runs after the catch during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase runs after the catch during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
OT Orlando Brown Jr. during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
DT B.J. Hill makes a tackle during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Barrett Carter during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
DE Joseph Ossai during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
OT Amarius Mims during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
P Ryan Rehkow during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Barrett Carter during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
DE Myles Murphy celebrates a sack during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. celebrates a sack during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
CB DJ Turner II during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
The Bengals defense celebrates S Jordan Battle's interception during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. during Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.
