RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Now in his eighth NFL season, it's hard to imagine that any preseason game moves the proverbial meter much for Dexter Lawrence II.
Even for his preseason debut with the Cincinnati Bengals Aug. 13 at Paycor Stadium in a 16-14 win over the Detroit Lions , the game was just another step toward in long season for Lawrence.
Lawrence wasn't on the field for much of the game. He played only during the first defensive series against the Lions, and for three of the five snaps during the drive. Lawrence didn't accumulate any counting stats during his time on the field either.
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Embedded content: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/08/13/analysis-bengals-win-lions-preseason/91297600007/
But Lawrence also served as captain for the Bengals, marching out to midfield for the coin toss alongside veteran Cincinnati center Ted Karras.
Afterward, Lawrence said he was pleased with the win, although he was reserving judgement on the overall defensive performance, which featured Bengals first-team players blanking Detroit on its first two drives.
"I have to watch the tape because it's never as good as you think or as bad as you think," Lawrence said, "but we won the game, so that's what's most important."
As for his individual showing, that was tougher to measure for Lawrence. Not only were the Lions withholding their starters for the game, but his limited snap count didn't give him much to consider.
Still, Lawrence had a veteran's take on what the focus should be in Game 1 of the preseason. His perspective was that of what will soon be eight hard-earned seasons in the NFL, and his first in Cincinnati.
"Three plays is tough for me personally but honestly," Lawrence said, "these type of games you just focus on your technique and make sure your eyes being in the right place, and that you're doing the right call."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What Dexter Lawrence gleaned from first snaps in Bengals stripes
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