Kris Jenkins

Cincinnati's second-round draft choice in 2024, Jenkins has played in 29 games with 13 starts through his first two pro seasons ... Lining up on the interior of the defensive line, his statistical totals include 67 tackles, five TFLs, 4.5 sacks and one PD ... In addition to his on-field production, he was noted during the draft process for his leadership qualities during four-year career (2020-23) at the University of Michigan ... Finished career with Wolverines as a team captain and second-team All-American in 2023, while helping team win national championship ... His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., played 10 seasons in the NFL (2001-10) as a DT for the Carolina Panthers and N.Y. Jets, and was a four-time Pro Bowler.

Cincinnati's second-round draft choice in 2024, Jenkins has played in 29 games with 13 starts through his first two pro seasons ... Lining up on the interior of the defensive line, his statistical totals include 67 tackles, five TFLs, 4.5 sacks and one PD ... In addition to his on-field production, he was noted during the draft process for his leadership qualities during four-year career (2020-23) at the University of Michigan ... Finished career with Wolverines as a team captain and second-team All-American in 2023, while helping team win national championship ... His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., played 10 seasons in the NFL (2001-10) as a DT for the Carolina Panthers and N.Y. Jets, and was a four-time Pro Bowler.

Career transactions: Selected by Cincinnati in second round of NFL Draft (49th overall) on 4-26-24 ... Signed with Bengals on 6-13-24.

Pro career:

2024—Played in 15 games with nine starts as a rookie ... Inactive for team's first two games due to thumb injury ... Recorded 31 tackles (10 solos), with three sacks ... Had one solo tackle in NFL debut on Sept. 23 vs. Washington ... On Sept. 29 at Carolina, stopped RB Chuba Hubbard on fourth-and-goal to force turnover on downs on game's opening drive ... Made first career start on Oct. 6 vs. Baltimore and had three assisted tackles ... Notched first career sack Nov. 3 vs. Las Vegas, taking down QB Desmond Ridder for loss of four yards in fourth quarter ... Posted season-high six tackles Dec. 1 vs. Pittsburgh ... Had first career multi-sack game Dec. 22 vs. Cleveland, bringing down QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson for seven-yard loss in first quarter and four-yard loss in fourth quarter.

2025—Played in first 14 games with four starts (all as a third DT) ... Spent final three games on Reserve/Injured list due to ankle injury ... Totaled 36 tackles (18 solos), two TFLs, 1.5 sacks and one PD ... Recorded 1.5 sacks in first half on Sept. 21 at Minnesota and finished with season-high six tackles; Sacked QB Carson Wentz for loss of four yards on third down to force Vikings punt ... Had three tackles with a TFL on Oct. 5 vs. Detroit ... Recorded first career PD and had four tackles on Nov. 23 vs. New England ... Posted three tackles on Dec. 14 vs. Baltimore, before exiting game in third quarter with ankle injury ... Placed on Reserve/Injured on Dec. 19.

College: Spent four seasons (2020-23) at Michigan ... Played in 44 games with 33 starts ... Totaled 113 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, four sacks, one INT and one FR ... Began career as rotational defensive lineman, then took over as full-time starting DT entering junior season ... Helped Michigan to three consecutive Big Ten championships and three straight appearances in College Football Playoff, capped off by national title in 2023 season ... A team captain in 2023, he earned second-team All-America and second-team All-Big Ten honors ... Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2022.

High school/personal: Hometown is Olney, Md. ... Attended Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, where he was named the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2019 ... Totaled 40 tackles, 19 TFLs, 15 sacks, five pass breakups, three FFs and one FR returned for a TD in senior season ... Communications and media major at Michigan ... Father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was a second-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2001 out of the University of Maryland, and played 10 NFL seasons as a DT for the Panthers and N.Y. Jets; he was a two-time first-team AP All-Pro (2002-03) and a four-time Pro Bowler.

Last Updated July 2026