Safety Jordan Battle has come off the field early in both of his past two games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, but for widely different reasons.
“Last time I came out early for a bad reason,” Jordan said. “This time, I came out early for a good reason. Last time, I got a targeting call in the national championship. This time, I got pulled out for a blowout.”
A targeting penalty on a hit by Battle on Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert sent the safety to the sidelines during Alabama’s 52-24 victory over the Buckeyes in the CFP national-championship game on Jan. 11, 2021.
Last week, Battle left early with the Cincinnati Bengals cruising toward a 45-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
The Bengals haven’t had the opportunity to pull their starters previously this season. With a 5-10 record, Cincinnati is playing out its 2025 schedule with home games against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 4.
“I know we don’t have really much to play for at the end of the day when it comes to the playoffs,” Battle said, “but we’re all playing for our lives, playing for our pride, playing for the last name on the back of our jerseys, and I feel like we’re doing a good job right now, so keep doing that. …
“I feel like guys are just trying to establish themselves in this league. At the end of the day, we’re not playing for a playoff, but you’re playing for a roster spot.”
Battle has established himself as Cincinnati’s strong safety this season. After starting 13 games in his first two NFL seasons, Battle has started all 15 of the Bengals’ contests in 2025.
Battle leads the NFL’s defensive backs with 119 tackles entering Week 17 of the season. He’s also tied for sixth in the league with four interceptions and has forced two fumbles.
“Whenever you have an offense like we do – high-powered – you want to get them the ball,” Battle said, “give them more possessions than the other team because that gives them chances to put up 45 points a game.”
Against the Dolphins last week, Battle tied for the team lead with five tackles on defense and had five tackles covering kickoffs on special teams.
Battle also caused Miami tight end Greg Dulcich to fumble, and Cincinnati recovered at the Dolphins 34-yard line. The Bengals turned the takeaway into a touchdown to take a 24-14 lead with 9:43 left in the third quarter.
“He has gotten better,” Cincinnati safeties coach Jordan Kovacs said. “He has shown a lot of growth over the course of the season. He’s becoming a pro. He’s becoming a leader. He’s a guy that’s very accountable and is studying off the field. I’m happy with his growth and development. He’s obviously having a lot of production. …
“He’s a physical player, especially when he’s in the box. He has a very good understanding of his run fits. He arrives with violence. He doesn’t shy away. He’s physical.”
The Bengals and Cardinals square off at noon CST Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
The Bengals will have Joe Burrow at quarterback for the fifth straight game. With Burrow in the lineup this season, Cincinnati has a 4-2 record. When a toe injury had Burrow on the bench, the Bengals went 1-8.
