The Miami Dolphins signed linebacker Shaka Heyward off of the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad, per a team announcement.
The Bengals and Dolphins are scheduled to meet in NFL Week 5 in Miami, on Oct. 11.
The Bengals added Heyward to their practice squad after finalizing their 53-man roster in advance of the regular season.
NFL Network analyst Adam Rank was among those accusing Heyward of a "hip-drop tackle" of Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland during their preseason game August 22 at Paycor Stadium.
Heyward, considered a special-teams ace, played in 12 games for the Bengals in 2025, his second season with the team. Heyward missed several weeks because of a hairline fracture of the left fibula he suffered during the team's Week 8 loss to
the New York Jets at Paycor Stadium.
In October 2025, the Bengals announced they placed Heyward on the reserve/injured list.
The Bengals signed Heyward as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft.
Heyward, a former Duke University standout, played in six games during the 2024 season. He had a forced fumble and six combined tackles.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dolphins sign linebacker off Bengals' practice squad
