Don’t expect to see any of the Cincinnati Bengals' starters during the team’s final preseason game on Aug. 28 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor will rest his starters against the Philadelphia Eagles. The next time Joe Burrow and Co. will play in a game will come on Sept. 13 when Cincinnati hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their season opener.
It’s uncommon for starters to play in the final preseason game in the NFL as most teams use the final exhibition game to evaluate the players on the bubble ahead of roster cutdown weekend.
Taylor made it clear that anyone playing in the game on Friday should understand what’s at stake from a performance standpoint.
“I don't feel like anybody should feel comfortable going in this last
week that they've made the team,” Taylor said on Aug. 24. “That's a big part of it is we want guys that we can depend on. So (they’ve got) to continue to be consistent and accountable over this last week through the Philly game. And we'll make our decisions this weekend.”
The Bengals must finalize their 53-man roster by 6 p.m. on Aug. 30.
Cincinnati’s starters – minus defensive backs Bryan Cook and Dax Hill – played in just one preseason game. Taylor treated the Bengals’ joint practice with the Chicago Bears similar to a game, giving the starters plenty of reps.
Most importantly, the Bengals were able to get through the preseason without a major injury to a starter. Cincinnati dealt with ascare to All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in practice on Aug. 25 when he hyperextended his knee, but Chase told reporters he is “fine” and could play if needed.
Taylor opted to rest Chase during practice on Aug. 26 and will give him as much time as needed to ensure he’s at full speed when the regular season begins.
Hill and Cook missed several weeks of practice after dealing with lower-body injuries early in camp. Cook returned to practice ahead of the final preseason game, while Hill remains out of practice spending most of the allotted time on the rehab field.
When asked about the timeline for both players and Shemar Stewart to make full returns, Taylor has opted not to give one but said he remains optimistic.
Said Taylor: “I won't make any promises about whether to practice this week or not, but still encouraged with what we're seeing from those guys."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals starters won't play vs. Eagles in final preseason game
