Oren Burks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lorton, Virginia, U.S.
_(cropped).jpg) Burks with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 42 – Cincinnati Bengals | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | March 21, 1995 Lorton, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 233 lb (106 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | South County (Lorton) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Vanderbilt (2013–2017) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2018: 3rd round, 88th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2025 | |||||||||||||||
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Oren Spencer Burks (born March 21, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. He is a one time Super Bowl champion.
Burks attended South County High School in Lorton, Virginia. Rated as a 3-star prospect out of high school, Burks committed to Vanderbilt over other offers from Duke, Maryland, Boston College, and others.
College career
In a game against Kentucky during his second year, Burks intercepted 2 passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This feat led to him being selected as the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week.[1] Following his senior season, Burks was also invited to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl as an alternate.[2]
Professional career
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Oren Burks' NFL Combine Workout | |
| Oren Burks runs the 40-yard dash |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄8 in (1.91 m) | 233 lb (106 kg) | 33+3⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) | 4.59 s | 1.58 s | 2.64 s | 4.15 s | 6.82 s | 39.5 in (1.00 m) | 10 ft 11 in (3.33 m) | 18 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[3][4] | ||||||||||||
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers selected Burks in the third round (88th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.[5] The Packers traded their fourth (101st overall) and fifth round (147th overall) picks in 2018 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' third round pick which they used to select Burks.[6] Burks was the 12th linebacker drafted in 2018.[7]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Packers draft Oren Burks 88th overall | |
| NFL Draft Profile: Oren Burks |
On May 17, 2018, the Packers signed Burks to a four-year, $3.43 million contract that included a signing bonus of $820,756.[8][9][10]
Burks entered training camp slated as a backup inside linebacker. He competed against Antonio Morrison to be a starting inside linebacker after Jake Ryan sustained a torn ACL during training camp.[11] Burks sustained a shoulder injury during pre-game warmups before the start of the Packers' third preseason game at the Oakland Raiders and was subsequently inactive for the first two regular season games (Weeks 1–2).[12] Head coach Mike McCarthy named Burks a backup starting inside linebacker, behind Antonio Morrison, upon his return from injury.[13] On September 23, 2018, Burks made his professional regular season debut and recorded two combined tackles during a 31–17 loss at the Washington Redskins in Week 3.[14] As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games and made four starts. He had 24 total tackles (18 solo).[15] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 12 games. He contributed on defense and special teams.[16] In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and mainly contributed on special teams while having 21 total tackles on defense.[17] In the 2021 season, he appeared in all 17 games and made three starts. He had a half-sack and 36 total tackles (24 solo) while still contributing on special teams.[18]
San Francisco 49ers
On March 17, 2022, Burks signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[19] In the 2022 season, he appeared in 17 games and started three. He finished with a half-sack, 38 total tackles, and one pass defended.[20] In the 2023 season, he appeared in 15 games and started three. He finished with one sack, 46 total tackles, one interception, and one pass defended.[21] He was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII for the 49ers in their 25–22 overtime loss to the Chiefs.[22]
Philadelphia Eagles
On March 19, 2024, Burks signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[23] He made his first start as an Eagle in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys in place of Nakobe Dean, who missed that game due to an abdomen injury; he recorded a forced fumble in the 41–7 win.[24] He finished the 2024 season with 41 total tackles (20 solo) and one pass defended.[25]
On January 12, 2025, during the Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Burks recorded a forced fumble on the opening kickoff of the game.[26] During that game he also took over the starting role in place of Nakobe Dean, who tore his patellar tendon during the game. In the game Burks recorded 4 tackles and 1 assist.[27]
In the third quarter of the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders, Burks forced a fumble against Austin Ekeler. The Eagles would go on to win that game 55–23 and advance to Super Bowl LIX.[28] In the Super Bowl, Burks recorded 5 tackles as the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 40–22, and won the second Super Bowl in Eagles franchise history. [29]
Cincinnati Bengals
On March 17, 2025, Burks signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.[30] He finished the 2025 season with 48 total tackles (17 solo), one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[31]