CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey has overcome a lot to still be on an NFL roster three years into his career — from being a late-round draft pick to suffering a season-ending knee injury late in his rookie season — but he has had an outstanding first few practices in training camp that could see him pushing for not only a spot on the roster, but perhaps significant playing time.

The wiry 6-foot-1, 192-pound Ivey was taken in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Miami (Fla.) where he started 33 of 58 games played over five seasons, but didn’t stand out enough to even earn an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine.

He spent most of his rookie season on special teams, but it was in the few snaps he participated on defense that impressed cornerbacks coach Chuck Burks, especially his performance in the lone snap he played at the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 16, 2023, and the 14 snaps he played in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 10, 2023.

“Every time he got in a game he executed and he executed in critical situations,” said Burks. “Chido (cornerback Chidobe Awuzie) had got hurt in the red area against Baltimore, and DJ went in and executed. Then Chido got hurt against the Colts and DJ went in and they threw right at him and he made a PBU (pass breakup). To me that was extremely impressive to see a rookie go in when he doesn’t expect it and he went out and executed. That was very impressive to me and I have all the confidence in the world to put DJ Ivey in a game and feel we can win that game.”

Ivey was awarded a game ball from head coach Zac Taylor for his performance in the Colts game where he also recorded a muffed punt return.

Unfortunately his season came to an end six days later when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee against the Minnesota Vikings.

The ensuing surgery and recovery led to him starting the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform list, which cost him the first six games. He played in each of the final 11 games, and participated in 59 defensive snaps with at least four defensive snaps in 10 of those games.

Burks had enough confidence in Ivey that he put him on then-Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens a few times in the second half of a must-win game that the Bengals did win.

“That’s how much I personally believe in DJ,” said Burks. “I’m not afraid to put DJ Ivey if it’s a good matchup and it’s against the best receiver or the best tight end. I’ll put him in the game. I love DJ Ivey. He has length, he has speed, he’s mentally tough. He’s a good player.”

Ivey said he made sure to attack his rehab and be attentive in meetings to be ready to play when he came off the PUP list.

“Maybe like the first two days (after the injury) it was woe is me, but after that when I started rehabbing it was control what you can control,” said Ivey. “”I never felt like I was playing catch up, because I was obviously still learning while I was injured. It was just getting back into the groove of things, getting back into football shape and getting my body ready to hit.”

Burks said it was impressive how Ivey put the injury behind him. “Mentally when you don’t have to think about it, that’s a big part of it, ‘Can I be the same player I was before I got hurt?,'” said Burks. “That’s something that all athletes when they suffer an injury like that have to work through. He’s past that and playing free right now and he’s in a good spot.”

This season Ivey had the chance to participate in a full spring practice session and in training camp from Day 1 and has been nothing but impressive showing in the first five practices with numerous pass breakups. “I was able to get in with the guys from the start and get the chemistry with the safeties and linebackers and it feels real good,” said Ivey.

Like most Bengals cornerbacks this training camp he has played both outside and in the slot. “Coach Burks makes sure we know nickel and (outside) corner as far as different packages,” said Ivey. “You never know when someone may go down and he should be able to fit anyone into positions so we can play anywhere.”

Burks has been impressed with Burks no matter where he has played. “The good thing about DJ is he works at it,” said Burks. “He’s talented. I’ve always been high on DJ Ivey.”

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Ivey has continued to improve since the team drafted him. “I think growth is a good word,” said Taylor. “DJ continues to ascend in a lot of areas on defense and special teams and I’m excited to watch him continue to compete in training camp. He’s a guy who is a joy to be around. I like what he’s about. He can play a couple of different spots for you on defense and I think (defensive coordinator) Al (Golden) and the staff are doing a good job utilizing him that way.”