The Cincinnati Bengals released rookie safety Isaiah Nwokobia from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to a team announcement detailing multiple roster adjustments.
The move came as the Bengals signed safety Russ Yeast from the practice squad to the active roster. Yeast fills a spot opened by tight end Tanner Hudson’s placement on injured reserve.
To replenish the practice squad, Cincinnati signed tight end Josh Kattus and linebacker Emany Johnson.
Nwokobia, an undrafted free agent out of SMU, originally signed with the Bengals in early May following the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 23-year-old from Dallas (Skyline High School) brought solid college production: career totals of 273 tackles, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and 14 pass deflections across 53 games.
He earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2024 after recording 100 tackles and three interceptions, and was named MVP of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship Game.
His path with the Bengals has been uneven. The team waived him early in training camp on August 4 amid an undisclosed injury, with Nwokobia later reaching an injury settlement.
He returned to the organization on September 29 when Cincinnati signed him to the practice squad after a workout.
The latest release ends that stint.
With established safeties Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, and Kyle Dugger ahead of him, plus depth pieces such as PJ Jules and the newly promoted Yeast, opportunities on the active roster have been limited for undrafted rookies.
Nwokobia’s early camp release already suggested the Bengals viewed the position as relatively settled, and the current secondary depth appears to have left little room for further development on the practice squad.
No specific reason for the practice-squad release was detailed beyond the corresponding roster moves.
Nwokobia is now a free agent and eligible to sign with another team or return to Cincinnati should circumstances change.
For a productive college safety who showed ball skills and tackling ability, the short NFL window underscores the steep competition at the position across the league.
