The Cincinnati Bengals cut defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on Friday.
The move was expected after Rankins played only seven games in 2024 after he was signed to fill the role of the departed D.J. Reader.
Rankins played only seven games, missing the second half of the season with an illness. The illness was unknown until ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Rankins was dealing with viral meningitis. Rankins being cut will free up $9.6 million in salary cap space as the Bengals aim to retain their star players this spring.
The Bengals will still need to address the interior of their defensive line this offseason, with only second-year players Kris Jenkins Jr.