RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Aug 13, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jack Endries (84) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Football is back!
The Cincinnati Bengals ’ first preseason game is in the books. They pulled out a two-point win, 16-14, at home against the Detroit Lions. Most of the Bengals’ starters played, and we got our first good look at some of the new guys looking to crack the final roster.
Here’s how I think things stand after Preseason Week 1.
Here are the previous versions:
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2.0
3.0
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5.0
Quarterback (2)
Joe Burrow
Joe Flacco
Cut: Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson
Notes: No changes. Burrow and Flacco are the guys. The only thing that would change that is an injury.
Running Back (3)
Chase Brown
Samaje Perine
Tahj Brooks
Cut: Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton
Notes: The Bengals started the game with Burrow under center for the first three snaps on offense. They’re making it clear they want to add this wrinkle to an already formidable offense. Whether or not it’ll take hold is another story. Either way, with Burrow and the best wide receiver duo in the league on the roster, the running game will always be secondary to the passing game.
Still, Tahj Brooks hasn’t exactly done much to stand out, nor has any other back on the roster. This could be a position the Bengals make an addition at during final roster cuts.
Wide Receiver (6)
Ja’Marr Chase
Tee Higgins
Andrei Iosivas
Charlie Jones
Mitchell Tinsley
Colbie Young
Cut: Xavier Johnson, Dohnte Myers, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams, Kendrick Pryor
Notes: Chase and Higgins are 1 and 1A, and it seems as if Iosivas has the inside track at WR3. Jones has earned his job on special teams, and Tinsley and Young are both impressive young guys who add excellent depth.
Former CFL standout Dohnte Myers had a nice preseason debut after making plays throughout training camp, so there’s a chance he’ll be able to take Mitchell Tinsley’s spot on the 53-man roster. If nothing else, Myers is someone the Bengals will almost certainly try to get onto the practice squad if he’s waived.
Tight End (5)
Mike Gesicki
Drew Sample
Tanner Hudson
Jack Endries
Erick All Jr.
Cut: Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus
Notes: Gesicki is more like a slot receiver than tight end, and Sample and Hudson have shown they belong. Endries caught three passes (sharing the lead for the Bengals on Thursday night) and scored the team’s lone touchdown on a pass from Joe Flacco, meaning he was in the game before Hudson got going. That’s a good sign, but he needs to keep performing well since keeping five tight ends can be a hard sell.
Offensive Line (10)
Orlando Brown Jr.
Dylan Fairchild
Ted Karras
Dalton Risner
Amarius Mims
Cody Ford
Jalen Rivers
Andrew Coker
Conner Lew
Brian Parker II
Cut: OT Javon Foster, OT Corey Robinson II, OT Christian Jones, G Liam Brown, C Jacob Bayer
Notes: Burrow got hit a couple of times and took a sack. It wasn’t exactly the start we would have liked to see from the starting offensive line, but it’s early, and kinks still need to be worked out. This offensive line could use a little help at depth, but it’s still the best Burrow has had in his career.
Defensive Line (10)
DE Boye Mafe
DT Dexter Lawrence II
DT Jonathan Allen
DE Shemar Stewart
DE Myles Murphy
DT B.J. Hill
DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
DE Cashius Howell
DT Landon Robinson
PUP: BJ Hill
Cut: DE Isaiah Foskey, DE Cedric Johnson, DT Howard Cross III, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson
Notes : It appears as if Shemar Stewart avoided a major injury, though there could be a chance he’s placed on IR in Week 1 to ensure he gets ample time to heal 100%. BJ Hill seems as if he’ll be ready by the start of the season. This defensive line went from a weakness to a strength. It’s a deep and talented group, and that should trickle down to the rest of the defense.
The real question mark is Landon Robinson. He’s had a decent training camp thus far and made several nice plays in the win over Detroit. He’ll need to keep that up to secure that final defensive tackle spot.
Linebackers (4)
Demetrius Knight Jr.
Barrett Carter
Oren Burks
Joe Giles-Harris
Cut: Liam Anderson, Swayze Bozeman, Jack Dingle, Eric Gentry, Antwan Powell-Ryland, Shaka Heyward
Notes: In the last roster projection, I had the Bengals keeping five linebackers. Now with five tight ends, the extra room has to come from somewhere. Linebacker it is.
Cornerback (6)
DJ Turner II
Dax Hill
Jalen Davis
DJ Ivey
Ja’Sir Taylor
Tacario Davis
Cut: Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, Ceyair Wright, Josh Newton
Notes: This group seems pretty set to me. Newton is in the doghouse, and Ivey and both Davises are reportedly impressing at camp. Bralyn Lux is also making a push and has even gotten some run with the 1s, so this is a position that will have several close calls come cutdown day.
Safety (4)
Bryan Cook
Jordan Battle
Kyle Dugger
Daijahn Anthony
Cut: PJ Jules, Russ Yeast, Isaiah Nwokobia
Notes: Cook didn’t play on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean a thing. He and Battle will start, with Dugger and Anthony backing them up and contributing on special teams.
Special Teams (3)
K – Evan McPherson
P – Ryan Rehkow
LS – William Wagner
Cut: None
Notes: No notes.
Who caught your eye on Thursday night?
Sound off!
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