The Bengals’ preseason opener against the Lions on Thursday won’t just be about shaking off rust. It’s a first real look at a few roster fights that could shape the back end of Cincinnati’s 53-man roster.
One of the clearest spots to monitor is nickel corner, where Jalen Davis looks set to open the season as the starter after finishing strong last year. The more interesting question is who backs him up.
Ja’Sir Taylor arrived as a veteran option this offseason and brings 65 games of NFL experience, which gives him a real case for a roster spot. But Bralyn Lux has been making noise too.
He’s been getting reps with the first-team defense lately when Davis rested, and even though most of his rookie year was spent on the practice squad, Cincinnati elevated him to the active roster for the final three games last season. Lux is the one to keep an eye on Thursday.
Tight end is another spot with some intrigue behind the top names. Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample are locked in, and Erick All Jr. won’t suit up for the preseason game Thursday.
The Bengals value the flexibility All brings when healthy, but the injury history around the room makes the rest of the depth chart worth watching. Tanner Hudson has consistently delivered when called upon and has been a special teams fixture over the past couple of seasons, putting him in position as the likely fourth tight end if Cincinnati keeps four.
Then there’s Jack Endries, the seventh-round pick in the 2026 draft. It has been a quiet camp for the rookie pass catcher, but he still has a chance to make his move.
If the Bengals do keep only four tight ends, this battle may come down to Hudson and Endries for the last spot, and Endries will have to earn it starting Thursday.
There’s also a potential numbers game along the offensive line. If Cincinnati decides to carry 10 linemen, someone has to claim that 10th spot.
Cody Ford appears lined up as the main backup at tackle, but the Bengals could still keep another tackle on the 53-man roster. Andrew Coker and Javon Foster are in that mix after spending last season on the practice squad.
The team also brought in undrafted free agents Christian Jones and Corey Robinson II this year, with Robinson listed as a guard on the roster even though he played tackle in college. One of those players will need to stand out if the Bengals want to keep 10 offensive linemen.
Otherwise, they could start the season with just nine. Brian Parker II and Jalen Rivers can also move out to tackle in a pinch, and that flexibility could factor into how the Bengals handle the position.
Thursday should give the first clues.
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So far, the answer has not looked especially comforting. Burrow has had several snaps where pressure got to him quickly, a reminder that the offensive line remains largely unchanged and still has to prove it can hold up against a live rush. There is at least some reason for optimism in the backfield, where Chase Brown has flashed enough to suggest the running game may be moving in a better direction, but protecting Burrow is always the bigger issue in Cincinnati. [Read more 🡒]
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For a player trying to carve out a larger role, that kind of practice work matters, especially this early in camp when every rep seems to carry extra weight. The Bengals also have a few bigger roster decisions simmering elsewhere, including the possibility of moving defensive tackle Andrew Brown Slaton because of the positions depth and his expiring deal, but for now the focus is on which young defensive backs can turn this opening into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Zac Taylor Pushes Back On A Bengals Concern Fans Know Well
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The bigger challenge now sits on the other side of the ball, where Cincinnati has had to make major offseason changes after defensive issues helped keep the team from reaching the level it wanted. The Bengals are hoping the pieces finally come together in 2026, with Burrow, the offensive line and the defense all doing their part at the same time. If that happens, the path back into playoff contention looks a lot cleaner than it has in a while. [Read more 🡒]