Germaine Pratt

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Germaine Pratt

| image = Germaine Pratt (50677885842) (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Pratt with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020

| current_team = Cincinnati Bengals

| number = 57

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|21}}

| birth_place = High Point, North Carolina, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 250

| high_school = High Point Central

| college = NC State (2014–2018)

| draftyear = 2019

| draftround = 3

| draftpick = 72

| pastteams =

Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2019}}–present)

| status = Active

| highlights =

First-team All-ACC (2018)

| statleague = NFL

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 616

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 3.5

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 = 7

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 = 5

| statlabel5 = Pass deflections

| statvalue5 = 23

| statlabel6 = Interceptions

| statvalue6 = 7

| pfr = PratGe00

}}

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

Early life

Pratt attended High Point Central High School in High Point, North Carolina. He committed to North Carolina State University to play college football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.greensboro.com/sports/high-school/high-point-central-s-pratt-commits-to-n-c-state/article_3d0cf0b2-cf7d-11e2-90e2-0019bb30f31a.html|title=High Point Central's Pratt commits to N.C. State|author=Reynolds, David|website=Greensboro News and Record}}

College career

Pratt played at NC State from 2014 to 2018.[https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/state-now/article169736132.html NC State's next breakout defensive star? Look for the hoodie]{{Cite web|url=https://www.wralsportsfan.com/nc-state-s-pratt-thriving-in-final-season-with-pack-hoping-play-pays-off-for-family/17902543/|title=NC State's Pratt thriving in final season with Pack, hoping play pays off for family|date=October 8, 2018|website=WRALSportsFan.com}} During his career, he had 235 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions and a touchdown.{{Cite web|url=http://www.technicianonline.com/sports/article_d8782ddc-f8a3-11e8-9340-53b19e8ad606.html|title=Wolfpack's Pratt to skip Gator Bowl|author=Staff Report|website=Technician}}

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 2+1/2

| weight = 240

| dash = 4.57

| ten split = 1.58

| twenty split = 2.53

| shuttle = 4.45

| cone drill =

| vertical = 32+1/2

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 8

| bench = 24

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 31+5/8

| hand span = 9+1/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web | url = https://www.nfl.com/prospects/germaine-pratt?id=32195052-4163-5713-12ab-3117ec02a181 | title = NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Germaine Pratt | work = nfl.com | date = March 1, 2019 | access-date = March 1, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130920&DraftYear=2019 | title = North Carolina State OLB Germaine Pratt : 2019 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile | work = NFLDraftScout.com | access-date = May 12, 2019}}

}}

= 2019 =

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Pratt in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Bengals select Germaine Pratt with the 72nd overall pick|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/4/26/18518834/bengals-draft-germaine-pratt-nc-state-wolf-pack-football|website=CincyJungle.com|date=April 26, 2019}} Pratt was the eighth linebacker drafted in 2019.{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Germain Pratt contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/germaine-pratt-29108/ |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=Spotrac.com}}

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.{{cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart: 09/02/2019 |url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/224/CIN |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Ourlads.com}}

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.{{cite web |title=Bengals cut veteran linebacker Preston Brown |url=https://stripehype.com/2019/11/12/bengals-cut-veteran-linebacker-preston-brown/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=stripehype.com |date=November 12, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Germain Pratt (2019) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00/gamelog/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

=2020=

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo elected to install a base nickel defense and named Pratt and Josh Bynes as the starting linebackers.{{cite web |title=Film Room: What to know about the Bengals defense in 2020 |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2020/9/11/21428988/bengals-defense-scheme-highlights-film-room-lou-anarumo |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=cincyjungle.com |date=September 11, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals Bengals projected depth chart |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2020/09/05/cincinnati-bengals-bengals-projected-depth-chart/5731248002/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=cincinnati.com |date=September 5, 2020}} He started in the Bengals' season-opener against the Los Angeles Chargers and made 12 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 16–13 loss.{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Germain Pratt (2020) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Polacek |first1=Scott |title=Joe Burrow, Bengals Snap NFL Playoff Drought with Win Over Derek Carr, Raiders |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10023938-joe-burrow-bengals-snap-nfl-playoff-drought-with-win-over-derek-carr-raiders |access-date=16 January 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

=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.{{Cite web |title=Bengals Notebook: Saturday Meeting Fired Up Mixon; Remember The Defense (And Celebrations) |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/joe-mixon-fired-up-in-meeting-day-for-celebrations-in-bengals-notebook |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=www.bengals.com |language=en-US}} His second interception of the season came in the fourth quarter of their Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-21 |title=Bengals' Germaine Pratt: Nabs late INT |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bengals-germaine-pratt-nabs-late-int/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-extend-germaine-pratt-we-re-close-i-want-to-win|work=Bengals.com|title=Bengals Extend Germaine Pratt: "We're Close ... I Want To Win"|date=March 13, 2023|accessdate=March 13, 2023|first=Geoff|last=Hobson}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-roster-moves-germaine-pratt-extension-re-signed|title=Bengals Re-Sign Germaine Pratt|work=Bengals.com|date=March 14, 2023|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-10 |title=Reactions: Cincinnati recovers Jerome Ford fumble during first quarter in Cleveland |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/reactions-cincinnati-recovers-jerome-ford-174634590.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}} Pratt made an interception in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, but suffered a minor shoulder injury while bringing the ball in.{{Cite web |title=Record-setting day for Chase leads Bengals past Cardinals |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/record-setting-day-for-chase-leads-bengals-past-cardinals/42DUJVRL35FUDH2JS5KQZMNASU/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Dayton-daily-news |language=English}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Bengals' Germaine Pratt: Picks off Purdy in Week 8 win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bengals-germaine-pratt-picks-off-purdy-in-week-8-win/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} Pratt finished the season with a career-high 118 tackles, finishing second on the team in total tackles, only behind Wilson.

=2024=

Pratt started all 17 games for Cincinnati during the 2024 campaign, recording 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 143 combined tackles. On February 12, 2025, Pratt requested a trade from the Bengals.{{Cite web|title=Source: Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt requests trade|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43815159/cincinnati-bengals-linebacker-germaine-pratt-requests-trade|access-date=March 2, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable"

! colspan="2" |Legend

Bold

|Career high

= Regular season statistics =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" \|Year ! rowspan="2" \|Team ! colspan="2" \|Games ! colspan="4" \|Tackles ! colspan="4" \|Fumbles ! colspan="6" \|Interceptions
GP !GS !Comb !Solo !Ast !Sack !FF !FR !Yds !TD !PD !Int !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD
2019 !CIN \|16 \|9 \|76 \|50 \|26 \|0.0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0.0 \|0 \|0
align="center" !2020 !CIN \|16 \|15 \|89 \|55 \|34 \|0.0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|2 \|0 \|0 \|0.0 \|0 \|0
2021 !CIN \|15 \|15 \|91 \|57 \|34 \|0.5 \|2 \|2 \|0 \|0 \|2 \|1 \|4 \|4.0 \|4 \|0
2022 !CIN \|15 \|15 \|99 \|50 \|49 \|1.0 \|1 \|1 \| -8 \|0 \|10 \|2 \|3 \|2.5 \|3 \|0
2023 !CIN \|17 \|17 \|118 \|63 \|55 \|2.0 \|2 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|3 \|2 \|9 \|4.5 \|9 \|0
align="center" ! colspan="2" \|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00.htm Career] !74 !66 !473 !275 !198 !3.5 !5 !3 !-8 !0 !17 !5 !16 !3.7 !9 !0

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan="2" |Year

! rowspan="2" |Team

! colspan="2" |Games

! colspan="4" |Tackles

! colspan="4" |Fumbles

! colspan="6" |Interceptions

!GS

!Comb

!Solo

!Ast

!Sack

!FF

!FR

!Yds

!TD

!PD

!Int

!Yds

!Avg

!Lng

!TD

2019

!CIN

|16

|76

|50

|26

|0.0

align="center"

!2020

!CIN

|16

|15

|89

|55

|34

|0.0

2021

!CIN

|15

|91

|57

|34

|0.5

|4.0

2022

!CIN

|15

|99

|50

|49

|1.0

| -8

|10

|2.5

2023

!CIN

|17

|118

|63

|55

|2.0

|4.5

align="center"

! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00.htm Career]

!74

!66

!473

!275

!198

!3.5

!-8

!17

!16

!3.7

= Playoffs statistics =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" \|Year ! rowspan="2" \|Team ! colspan="2" \|Games ! colspan="4" \|Tackles ! colspan="4" \|Fumbles ! colspan="6" \|Interceptions
GP !GS !Comb !Solo !Ast !Sack !FF !FR !Yds !TD !PD !Int !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD
2021 !CIN \|4 \|4 \|29 \|20 \|9 \|0.0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|1 \|1 \|2 \|2.0 \|2 \|0
2022 !CIN \|3 \|3 \|20 \|12 \|8 \|0.0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|3 \|0 \|0 \|0.0 \|0 \|0
align="center" ! colspan="2" \|Career !7 !7 !49 !32 !17 !0.0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !4 !1 !2 !1.0 !2 !0

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan="2" |Year

! rowspan="2" |Team

! colspan="2" |Games

! colspan="4" |Tackles

! colspan="4" |Fumbles

! colspan="6" |Interceptions

!GS

!Comb

!Solo

!Ast

!Sack