Shaka Heyward: Everything you need to know

The Bengals signed Heyward to a one-year contract Monday. Heyward spent time on injured reserve in 2025 due to a lower leg injury but was able to play in the final four games of the regular season. He mostly contributed on special teams and finished with 16 tackles (four solo) across 12 games.

The Bengals activated Heyward (lower leg) from injured reserve Friday, and he does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens. Heyward had his 21-day practice window open Wednesday and was a full participant in all three practices during Week 15 prep, which was enough for the Bengals to activate him from IR ahead of Sunday's game. Heyward has mostly served on special teams and has logged 10 takcles (four solo) through eight regular-season games.

Heyward (lower leg) has been ruled out for Cincinnati's matchup versus the Bills on Sunday. Heyward was designated to return from injured reserve, but the team will wait at least one more week before officially activating him. Sunday's game will mark the 25-year-old's fifth consecutive absence, but he'll aim to be good to go for the Week 15 matchup versus Baltimore.