{
  "id": 38851,
  "title": "The time is now for DJ Ivey to prove he belongs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/the-time-is-now-for-dj-ivey-to-prove-he-belongs",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T10:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/time-now-dj-ivey-prove-103000505.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey, who has battled a severe knee injury, now finds himself on the cusp of a pivotal NFL season. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds, the 26-year-old from Homestead, Florida, entered the league with a strong college background at Miami. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Ivey has been a five-year starter at his college, showcasing the size, length, and athleticism that teams seek in an outside cornerback.\n\nDespite the setback of a torn ACL, which sidelined him during his rookie year, Ivey has made a steady recovery and played in every game during the 2025 season. His tenacity was on display in his 12 tackles and three passes defended, demonstrating his progress as he continues to develop. As cornerback may be one of the most saturated positions in the league, Ivey must seize his opportunity to prove his worth beyond being a depth player.\n\nWith significant investments in rebuilding their defense, the Bengals have a crowded secondary with competitors like Ceyair Wright, Bralyn Lux, and Ja’Sir Taylor. Ivey's opportunity to establish a permanent role in the secondary hinges on a strong performance in the upcoming camp and preseason. If he continues his steady development, Ivey could prove himself as a valuable asset while maintaining his reputation as a standout special teams player for the Bengals.",
  "summary": "DJ Ivey, the Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, is entering the biggest season of his NFL career after overcoming a devastating knee injury. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds, Ivey, who is 26 years old, made his NFL debut in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft after impressing during his college career at Miami (FL). After suffering a torn ACL during his rookie season, Ivey returned stronger than ever, making every game in the 2025 season and contributing significantly on special teams. With the Bengals investing heavily in rebuilding their defense, Ivey has the opportunity to prove himself as more than just quality depth and potentially secure a permanent role in the secondary. However, he faces fierce competition from other cornerbacks like Ceyair Wright, Bralyn Lux, and Ja’Sir Taylor. If Ivey continues his steady development and demonstrates strong performance in camp and the preseason, he will have every opportunity to earn his place on the Bengals' 53-man roster.",
  "key_points": [
    "DJ Ivey battles severe knee injury.",
    "26-year-old from Homestead, Florida.",
    "Opportunity to prove worth in Bengals' defense."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}