Second Audition
With the Bengals hosting the Bears for a joint practice at the Kettering Health Practice Fields on Thursday, head coach Zac Taylor indicated that the team’s starters will rest on Saturday night. That paves the way for many of the depth pieces, particularly the first and second-year players, to see extended playing time.
Several Bengals are looking to build off a promising first showing last week in the 16-14 win over Detroit. Namely, wide receiver Dohnte Meyers, who spent the past two seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing with the Bengals in January, contributed a team-high 42 yards from scrimmage (29 receiving, 13 rushing). Tight end Jack Endries, one of Cincinnati’s seventh-round draft picks this past April, scored the lone touchdown of the night for the Bengals and added a 17-yard catch.
On the defensive side of the ball, second-round pick Cashius Howell figures to get substantial action following a debut performance highlighted by a fumble recovery that set up the Endries touchdown. Seventh-rounder Landon Robinson, a nose tackle out of Navy, was credited with a half-sack and two quarterback hits against the Lions.
“I thought they all showed well,” said Taylor when asked about the draft class’s performance in the first preseason contest. “I thought those guys have improved over the course of camp. You can throw Brian Parker II in there too, he got a lot of run. BoBo (Tacario Davis) and Connor (Lew) were the two that didn’t get to play, but I was pleased with what they showed us. I’m sure there’s a lot of excitement as they go out there for the first snaps, and there’s some things that they can get better at, but I’m certainly please with the direction all those guys are headed in right now.”