The Bengals claimed Jordan Jefferson off waivers from the 49ers to bolster interior depth, reshaping a DT room that already features Slaton, Hill, Jenkins Jr. and Pennel. Cross III was waived to make room. Jefferson showed burst and upside as a rookie but must refine technique to maximize run disruption. With McKinnley Jackson pushing for snaps, Cincinnati is betting on a deeper, more flexible frontline for late-season battles.

Fantasy managers should watch how Jefferson earns his role: early down run defense and quick, disruptive bursts could unlock extra snaps in rotation. If he translates college upside to NFL consistency, Jefferson might push for meaningful group reps in a unit built to lean on youth and upside down the stretch.

Shemar Stewart debuts for Cincinnati in Week 1 against Cleveland, with Trey Hendrickson back to draw attention and create one-on-one chances for the rookie. Stewart flashed in camp and preseason, and Week 1 could spark a breakout in a divisional test. Expect him to mix edge rushes with interior snaps as Cleveland’s tackles—Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin—face a pressure-heavy attack.

Stewart’s versatility is the headline: he’s lined up at edge, 4i-tech, and 3-tech in the preseason. Al Golden is signaling a plan to maximize his field time, keeping Stewart in the mix on solo rushes while also exploiting potential interior alignments. This Week 1 matchup should set the tone for his early impact and fantasy chatter.

The AFC North matchup doubles as Stewart’s proving ground and a showcase for Cincinnati’s outside rush potential, with Stewart aiming to translate preseason bursts into Week 1 production.

The Bengals arrive Week 1 with a remarkably clean injury slate for the opening game, a rarity in Zac Taylor’s tenure. Day 1 had no official names on the injury report, highlighting unprecedented health across the 53-man roster as Cincinnati heads into a fresh start. Joe Burrow’s durability is underscored by his full participation in practice, while Taylor’s stance on stamina and reps—boosted by an unusually active preseason—paints a picture of a squad primed to hit the ground running.

The absence of injuries mirrors last year’s trend but marks an even cleaner slate historically. With Burrow healthy and the depth tested by Amarius Mims, Kris Jenkins Jr., and Orlando Brown Jr. pushing for full-speed roles, fantasy managers can lean into confidence around Week 1 ceilings. The team emphasizes realistic, game-like drills in practice to build confidence for Sundays, while the overall health signals a high-floor start for key Bengals, especially in high-scoring lineups and DFS builds.