The Bengals emphasized getting preseason reps this year with Joe Burrow and other healthy starters getting a good amount of reps in weeks one and two of the preseason. But like most teams, that will not extend into preseason Week 3.
The Bengals will be resting their starters in the final preseason game at home vs. the Colts, head coach Zac Taylor announced Wednesday. While we won’t see Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ other standouts, sitting starters is common practice around the league for the preseason finale.
The offense looked good, minus some minor protection issues, so hopefully that is a sign of a quicker start coming to the Bengals after starting 0-2 in each of the past three seasons. Getting some momentum with wins early this season is exactly what the Bengals need if they are going to make a push to get back to the playoffs again after just missing out the last two years.
For preseason Week 3, this could be big for players fighting battles for the last few spots on the roster. McKinnley Jackson and Taven Bryan are both playing for the final DT spot, along with surprising standouts Howard Cross and Eric Gregory. All of those guys are battling to prove they’re worth keeping over a possible sixth defensive end (depending on Trey Hendrickson).
There is also an intense battle at wide receiver among players trying to prove there is a reason to carry six players at the position. Isaiah Williams entered the offseason as the favorite to secure the final wide receiver slot, but Mitchell Tinsley, thanks to an incredibly strong camp and a phenomenal performance in preseason Week 2, is now looking like the frontrunner, and it could all come down to the final preseason game.
So, while the starters may not be playing, there is still plenty of intrigue to be seen this week for the Bengals.
