Cedric Johnson: Everything you need to know

Johnson tallied 20 total tackles (11 solo), including 2.0 sacks, across nine regular-season games in 2025. Johnson, a 2024 sixth-round pick from Ole Miss, set career highs in total tackles and sacks while logging 207 defensive snaps during his second NFL season. He missed the first eight games of Cincinnati's 2025 campaign but came on strong late in the year, with all of his sacks coming over the final two weeks of the regular season. Under contract through 2027, Johnson is expected to remain one of the Bengals' top reserve defensive ends next season.

Johnson (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Patriots. With Trey Hendrickson (hip), Shemar Stewart (knee) and Cameron Sample (oblique) all out for Week 12, Johnson should see reps behind Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy.

Johnson (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports. Johnson was limited Wednesday and has appeared in two games since being activated from injured reserve in October. Johnson has produced five tackles (three solo) and one QB hit across 45 defensive snaps.