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Some Bengals aren’t lasting too long on the NFL’s waiver wire.
After Cody Core was picked up by the Giants, linebacker Malik Jefferson will stay in the division and go to the AFC North-favorite Cleveland Browns.
This was first reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. In the same tweet, Rap let us know what Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood would be claimed by Washington, another significant factor for Cincinnati given their running back situation.
Staying in the division: Former #Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood was claimed by the #Redskins. ... LB Malik Jefferson by the #Browns.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2019
Jefferson has since confirmed the news:
I just want to thank the entire Bengals organization for giving me my first shot in the NFL. Thank you to the fans, my coaches, and my teammates, for a great year! I’m excited for my new opportunity with the Cleveland Browns. I can’t wait to get to work!
— Malik Jefferson (@malikjefferson) September 1, 2019
The Bengals were active during this waiver wire period, but they haven’t landed a linebacker, and they cut Hardy Nickerson, so they now have just four linebackers on the 53-man roster.
As for Jefferson, he’ll play his former team twice this season. The former Longhorn was a surprise cut by the Bengals who aren’t overly strong at linebacker. That said, Jefferson was the team’s third-round pick in 2018 and didn’t see too much action his rookie season.
Jefferson saw time in 10 games and recorded just five solo tackles, ten combined tackles and not many other stats. Cutting Jefferson is sparking a new wave of keeping players on a short leash.
Let’s, for the time being, trust that rookie head coach Zac Taylor knows what he’s doing and is forecasting just how ineffective Jefferson will be this upcoming season.