The Philadelphia Eagles will get one final opportunity to evaluate their roster Friday night when the Cincinnati Bengals visit Lincoln Financial Field. This will not be a showcase for Cincinnati’s biggest names. Bengals coach Zac Taylor has confirmed that his starters will sit, leaving the game primarily to reserves and players competing for jobs.
That makes the matchup particularly useful for Philadelphia’s young offensive linemen, reserve defensive backs and players attempting to survive roster cuts.
With final participation decisions still pending, here are 15 Bengals reserves worth watching.
1. QB Josh Johnson
Johnson’s experience gives Cincinnati a quarterback capable of testing whether Philadelphia’s reserves understand their assignments.
2. QB Sean Clifford
Clifford offers a different
evaluation later in the game. Philadelphia’s reserve pass rush needs to finish pressures, while its secondary must remain disciplined when the initial play breaks down. Clifford is also trying to make his own final roster argument.
3. RB Kendall Milton
Milton gives the Eagles’ backup defensive front another opportunity to demonstrate sound run fits. For players such as Gabe Hall and Deontae Lawson, preventing Milton from delivering a standout performance is critical.
4. RB Jamal Haynes
Haynes is buried in a crowded backfield and needs to make the most of his opportunities. Philadelphia’s reserve linebackers must tackle cleanly and account for the running back when Cincinnati uses checkdowns or releases him into a route.
5. WR Mitch Tinsley
Tinsley is one of Cincinnati’s receivers competing for limited space behind an established top group. His snaps could provide a useful test for Kelee Ringo and the Eagles’ other outside corners, particularly on third down and near the sideline.
6. WR Noah Thomas
Thomas is trying to create a final impression in a crowded receiver room.
7. WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Williams appears among Cincinnati’s reserve receiving and return options. He can challenge Philadelphia in multiple phases, giving the Eagles’ coverage units and reserve defensive backs another player to watch.
8. TE Josh Kattus
Kattus gives Philadelphia’s linebackers and safeties another talented tight end to account for underneath. His strength as a run blocker also makes him relevant to the Eagles’ edge defenders, who must maintain their positioning against runs and play-action concepts.
9. C Jacob Bayer
Bayer’s work against Philadelphia’s interior defenders will be worth following. Ty Robinson and Gabe Hall can strengthen their evaluations by affecting the pocket, but they also need to avoid creating rushing lanes while pursuing penetration.
10. OT Javon Foster
Foster could offer a challenge for Philadelphia’s reserve edge rushers. Jose Ramirez and Keyshawn James-Newby need more than occasional pressure; they must show they can threaten the tackle while remaining reliable against the run.
11. OT Christian Jones
Jones provides another measuring point for the Eagles’ young pass rushers.
12. DE Isaiah Foskey
Foskey will be an important test for Philadelphia’s reserve tackles.
13. DT Jordan Jefferson
Jefferson’s work inside could test Drew Kendall, Jake Majors and Philadelphia’s other reserve interior linemen.
14. CB Jalen Kimber
Kimber is another Bengals defensive back trying to earn a role. Philadelphia’s reserve receivers need to create separation consistently against players in similar situations, particularly when the offense needs a conversion rather than an explosive play.
15. S PJ Jules
Jules could influence the Eagles’ passing game through his positioning over the top and his reactions underneath.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 15 Bengals players to watch in preseason finale vs. Eagles
