Brightwell has been a Bengals practice squad member since November 2024, and saw action in two games for Cincinnati in '25 as a practice squad elevation ... He originally was a sixth-round draft pick of the N.Y. Giants in 2021 and spent his first three seasons with New York ... Spent the 2024 offseason with Jacksonville, and played in two games for Cleveland early in '24 campaign ... Has played in 41 career regular-season games, recording 41 rushing attempts for 164 yards and one TD, 11 receptions for 92 yards, and 32 KORs for 674 yards ... Served as the Giants' primary kick returner during the 2022 season, averaging 21.3 yards on 26 KORs that year.
Career transactions: Selected by N.Y. Giants in sixth round of NFL Draft (196th overall) on 5-1-21 ... Signed with Giants on 5-13-21 ... Waived (injured) by Giants on 5-30-24 (cleared waivers and reverted to Reserve/Injured list on 5-31-24) ... Waived with an injury settlement on 6-10-24 ... Signed with Jacksonville as free agent on 8-4-24 ... Waived by Jaguars on 8-27-24 ... Signed to Cleveland practice squad on 8-29-24 ... Signed to Browns roster on 9-21-24 ... Waived by Browns on 10-1-24 ... Signed to Browns practice squad on 10-3-24 ... Released by Browns from practice squad on 10-15-24 ... Signed to Browns practice squad on 10-22-24 ... Released by Browns from practice squad on 10-29-24 ... Signed to Cincinnati practice squad on 11-11-24 ... Signed to Bengals roster (Reserve/Future) on 1-7-25 ... Contract terminated by Bengals on 8-26-25 ... Signed to Bengals practice squad on 8-27-25 ... Signed to Bengals roster (Reserve/Future) on 1-5-26.
2021—Played in 13 games as a rookie for the N.Y. Giants ... Spent one game on Reserve/COVID-19 list ... Inactive for one game (Game 14), then spent final two games on Reserve/Injured list ... Recorded one rushing attempt for four yards and had one reception for six yards ... Made NFL debut on Sept. 12 vs. Denver and recorded first career reception.
2022—Played in all 17 regular-season games and two postseason contests for the N.Y. Giants ... Rushed 31 times for 141 yards and one TD, and caught five passes for 39 yards ... Also returned 26 kickoffs for 555 yards (21.3 average) ... Scored first career TD on Oct. 9 vs. Green Bay (game played in London), finding end zone on two-yard run to tie game in fourth quarter ... Had season-long 47-yard KOR on Oct. 16 vs. Baltimore, setting up Giants TD drive in second quarter ... Rushed for season-high 60 yards on Jan. 8 at Philadelphia, and had 40-yard KOR late in fourth quarter ... In two postseason games, had one carry for 10 yards and six KORs for 149 yards (24.8) ... Returned five kicks for 130 yards in Divisional Playoff on Jan. 21 at Philadelphia, with a long of 30 yards.
2023—Played in seven games for the N.Y. Giants ... Spent final 10 games on Reserve/Injured list due to a hamstring injury ... Rushed nine times for 19 yards and caught five passes for 47 yards.
2024—Spent seven games on Cincinnati's practice squad (Games 11-17) ... Played in two games for Cleveland early in season (Games 3 and 4), returning two kickoffs for 36 yards ... Spent five games on Browns' practice squad before being released on Oct. 29, then signed to Bengals' practice squad on Nov. 11.
2025—Spent 15 games on Cincinnati's practice squad ... Played in two games as a practice squad elevation, totaling four KORs for 83 yards ... Made season debut on Nov. 23 vs. New England and returned a kickoff 24 yards in fourth quarter ... Had three KORs for 59 yards on Nov. 27 at Baltimore, including 26-yarder on game's opening kick.
College: Spent four seasons (2017-20) at the University of Arizona ... Played in 40 career games, totaling 245 rushing attempts for 1305 yards and nine TDs ... Added 19 receptions for 121 yards and a TD, and returned five kickoffs for 86 yards ... Named honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference in 2020, when he rushed for 409 yards (eighth-most in conference) in five games during season that was limited due to COVID-19 pandemic.
High school/personal: Hometown is Chester, Pa. ... Attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md. ... As a senior in 2016, served as a team captain, rushed for 519 yards and eight TDs on 78 carries, and earned first-team all-conference and first-team All-State Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association honors ... Majored in literacy, learning and leadership at Arizona.
NOTE ABOUT NFL EXPERIENCE: Brightwell did not earn an accrued year of experience toward NFL free agency in 2024 or '25.
