Dohnte Meyers and Ke'Shawn Williams turned training camp into something bigger than a feel-good story. Both not only survived roster cuts, they made the Bengals’ 53-man roster and now head into the season with bigger jobs waiting.
For Meyers, the moment he got the news hit hard. He said he gathered his family on a group FaceTime and let the emotion take over.
"I did a group facetime with my parents, my siblings, and I just told them the news and thats when the water works started happening and everybody started crying," Meyers said of his families reaction.
The rookie also got a little bonus when he walked into the building and saw where he was sitting. His locker is now right next to Ja'Marr Chase, with Tee Higgins also nearby.
"That was a nice surprise when I came in this morning, I've got my boys next to me, it's gonna be a nice year," Meyers said.
What excites Meyers most now is getting on the field and competing in front of Cincinnati. He also lit up at the idea of the Bengals opening in orange.
"Competing, playing out there in front of Cincinnati," Meyers said. "I know we open up in Orange, nobody knows this but orange is my favorite color, when I found out the news I was ecstatic."
Williams had his own emotional moment when the call came through. After the work he put in this offseason, making the team meant everything to him.
"It was a journey this camp, and to get that call was everything," Williams said. "Just knowing that I got nothing to lose, I'm an underdog, I'm not supposed to be here, but I find a way everytime."
He said that underdog mentality has been with him for a long time, even if no one has directly told him he doesn’t belong.
"That's just the impression I get, I've never been the top dog anywhere, always been an underdog, Williams said. "Nobodies telling me 'no you can't be here' but thats kind of the mentality I have to encourage myself."
Zac Taylor pointed to Williams’ work as a returner last season, along with what he showed as a receiver in camp, as the reason he moved ahead of Charlie Jones as the team’s primary return man.
"Ke'Shawn, I think that goes back to last season, I saw him do it (return) live in games," Taylor said. "He made some plays as a receiver this training camp, and I just think he's a valuable weapon to have, he earned the opportunity so it was good to keep him out there."
Now both players enter the season with roles that look a lot bigger than anyone would have expected when camp began.
In Other News...
Bengals Make A QB Insurance Move With Joe Burrow Uncertain
With Joe Burrow dealing with back tightness, the Bengals added a little insurance before facing the Texans by elevating quarterback Josh Johnson and linebacker Joe Giles-Harris from the practice squad to the active roster. The move gives Cincinnati an extra layer of protection at the sports most important position while also adding depth on defense for a game that could turn on how cleanly the offense operates up front.
Zac Taylor said Burrow is questionable but expected to play, and the team is focused on making sure he can go after the Houston game plan aggressively if hes cleared. Cincinnati has also been encouraged by the way its offensive line has protected in recent practices, a small but meaningful sign as the Bengals try to keep their quarterback upright and avoid any late-week surprises. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Have A D-Line Question Fans Did Not Expect
The Bengals entered the season expecting the defensive line to be one of the places where recent draft investment would finally start to pay off, and for a moment it looked like Kris Jenkins and Myles Murphy might help change that conversation. Jenkins flashed in Week 1 despite limited snaps, while Murphy turned in a more noticeable outing with a handful of impactful plays, including a forced fumble, giving Cincinnati at least a small reason to think the group could take a step forward.
Still, the broader picture remains unsettled because the Bengals have also brought in new defensive linemen this offseason, a sign the front office is retooling the room even as it waits on its young talent. For a team that needs more consistent pressure up front, the question is no longer just whether Jenkins and Murphy can build on those early moments, but how quickly they can do it before the rest of the depth chart starts shifting around them. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Face A Few Matchups That Could Decide Houston Trip
Cincinnati heads to Houston with a handful of pressure points that could shape the afternoon, and the most obvious one starts on the outside. Ja'Marr Chase against Derek Stingley is the kind of receiver-cornerback matchup that can tilt game plans, while rookie tackle Amarius Mims drawing Will Anderson Jr. puts the spotlight on whether the Bengals can keep Joe Burrow comfortable when the Texans bring heat.
The other battles matter just as much for a team trying to navigate a tough road trip. Houstons running backs testing the Bengals linebackers could determine whether the Texans stay on schedule, and the interior line work in front of Cincinnati figures to be a major factor as well. With C.J. Stroud directing the offense, these are the spots where the game may be decided long before the final possession arrives. [Read more 🡒]