Germaine Pratt

Germaine Pratt (born May 21, 1996) is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State, and was drafted by the Bengals in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Early years
Pratt attended High Point Central High School in High Point, North Carolina. He committed to North Carolina State University to play college football.

College career
Pratt played at NC State from 2014 to 2018. During his career, he had 235 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions and a touchdown.

2019
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Pratt in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Pratt was the eighth linebacker drafted in 2019. On June 27, 2019, the Bengals signed Pratt to a four-year, $4.08 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.05 million.

Throughout training camp, Pratt competed with Hardy Nickerson, Malik Jefferson, Deshaun Davis and Noah Dawkins for a role as the Bengals' primary backup linebacker, resulting in Pratt winning the job, and head coach Zac Taylor placing him behind starters Preston Brown, Nick Vigil, and Jordan Evans on the depth chart to begin the regular season.

Pratt earned his first career start and recorded five combined tackles (four solo) during a 23 –17 loss at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. In Week 10, Pratt started at middle linebacker, replacing Brown, and made four combined tackles (three solo) in the Bengals' 49–13 loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

On November 12, 2019, the Cincinnati Bengals waived Preston Brown, subsequently resulting in Pratt remaining as the starter for the remainder of the season. In Week 16, Pratt collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 38–35 loss at the Miami Dolphins. He finished his rookie campaign in 2019 with a total of 76 combined tackles (50 solo) in 16 games and nine starts.

2020
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo elected to install a base nickel defense and named Pratt and Josh Bynes as the starting linebackers. He started in the Bengals' season-opener against the Los Angeles Chargers and made 12 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 16–13 loss. He finished the season with 89 tackles (55 solo), and two pass deflections.

2021
Pratt was once again named a starting linebacker for the 2021 season alongside Logan Wilson. In Week 8 against the New York Jets, Pratt recorded his first career interception on Jets' quarterback Mike White. In the Bengals' Week 14 win against the Denver Broncos, Pratt had a career-high 15 combined tackles (nine solo). He finished the regular season with 91 tackles and two forced fumbles. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round, Pratt recorded six tackles, and recorded the game-winning interception on Derek Carr in the 26–19 win, securing the Bengals first playoff win since 1991.

2022
Pratt and Wilson returned as the team's starting linebackers for the 2022 season. In the Bengals' Week 5 loss to the Ravens, Pratt recorded his first career sack on Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson. The following week against the New Orleans Saints, Pratt recorded 14 tackles, one shy of his personal career high. Pratt made an interception in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, leading to a viral celebration by the entire Bengals defense, doing snow angels in the end zone. His second interception of the season came in the fourth quarter of their Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pratt finished the season with 99 tackles, finishing second on the team in total tackles, only behind Wilson.

2023
On March 14, 2023, Pratt signed a three-year, $20.25 million contract extension with the Bengals. In the Bengals' Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Pratt recorded his second career sack and force a fumble in the 24–3 loss. Pratt made an interception in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, but suffered a minor shoulder injury while bringing the ball in. During the third quarter of the Bengals' Week 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers, Pratt picked off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's end zone pass, a crucial turnover for the Bengals who went on to win 31–17. Pratt finished the season with a career-high 118 tackles, finishing second on the team in total tackles, only behind Wilson.