Kirkland Makes Bid for Bengals' Roster Spot

The former Husky recently received first-team reps on the Cincinnati offensive line.

Former Washington offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland is bidding for a roster spot with the Cincinnati Bengals. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jaxson Kirkland always has been a patient man with his football career, simply waiting for the University of Washington to make him a late offer in the recruiting process and at the end working his way back from a serious ankle injury that greatly affected his pro prospects.

Now as a second-year NFL player, Kirkland is on the verge of going from an undrafted practice squad player for the Cincinnati Bengals to possibly landing a spot on the 53-man roster, according to multiple reports coming out of Ohio.

For a franchise dealing with offensive-line injuries in training camp, the 6-foot-7, 328-pound Kirkland recently took first-team reps for the Bengals at left tackle after moving over from right tackle and initially reporting as a right guard, with his football versatility no doubt upping his stock in going forward.

What he needs now is a good showing in the Bengals' final exhibition game against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night, with kickoff at 5 p.m. PT in Cincinnati, in order to secure a roster spot.

Ex-Husky Jaxson Kirkland (60) is shown blocking in a 2023 Cincinnati Bengals exhibition game against Green Bay. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kirkland, a three-time All-Pac-12 selection at multiple offensive-line positions for the Huskies, spent the entire 2023 NFL season on the Bengals' practice squad as they considered him a developmental player worth investing in.

Also, Jake Browning, the former Husky quarterback and long-time Kirkland teammate who went from Bengals back-up to starter in 2023 following Joe Burrows' season-ending injury, remains out indefinitely with a rib injury. Browning is in his sixth season in the NFL.

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