With new defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson freshly arrived from the waiver wire and not playing, the Bengals activated second-year defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson Sunday for the first time this season when they met the Lions at Paycor Stadium.

Jackson, a third-round pick from Texas A&M, played in 13 games last year after overcoming a knee injury in training camp. He had a busy December. In three straight weeks, he made his first start, forced a fumble and racked up his first NFL sack.

During the offseason, the Bengals signed Packers' run stuffer T.J. Slaton Jr., and signed veteran tackle Mike Pennel to the practice squad on the eve of the first week of season before signing him to the roster a few weeks later.

Rookie free agent Howard Cross III was the fifth tackle in Minnesota two weeks ago behind starters Slaton and B.J. Hill and backups Pennel and Kris Jenkins Jr. In order to make room for the 6-2, 317-pound Jordan, like Jackson, a two-down run stuffer, the Bengals waived Cross.

Another Chance

In Jefferson, the Bengals get a guy they've had their eyes on since his draft. He was taken a round after Jackson in the 2024 draft, but the Bengals kept their eyes on him. When Jacksonville cut him at the cut-down date six weeks ago, they had him on their board. But the 49ers were ahead of them in the claiming order.

In his only game this season last week, Jefferson took 12 snaps and then became a victim of the Niners' banged-up quarterback room and was let go.

Bengals assistant general managers Trey Brown and Mike Potts saw Jefferson plenty in college the one year he was at LSU. Potts heads up the college scouting phase, and Brown spends much of the fall in the SEC.

"We're always looking to add a young interior player to go with the depth here," Brown said of a player who just turned 24 last week.

Jefferson played one year at LSU after beginning his career at West Virginia.

"We liked him in the draft, and we liked his pre-season tape," Potts said. "He's a strong, powerful guy with good get-off.

Slants and Screens

Under the watchful eyes of head athletic trainer Matt Summers and head strength and conditioning coach Joey Boese, top return man Charlie Jones (ankle) showed enough in pregame warmups to be active even though he didn't practice last week …

With tight end Noah Fant back after missing last week in Denver with a concussion, tight end Cam Grandy was inactive. …

Cornerback Marco Wilson was out …

So was wide receiver Jermaine Burton, yet to play this season …

Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (ankle) had been ruled out Friday …

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor's first response to facing the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense was sending out defensive captains Logan Wilson, Trey Hendrickson, and B.J. Hill ...