The Bengals will have Cedric Johnson available for Sunday’s NFL International Game in Madrid, a welcome boost after the defensive end landed on the injury report with an ankle/foot issue.
Johnson was questionable after getting hurt in last week’s 43-36 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans, but he’s active against the Atlanta Falcons. Cincinnati will also have cornerback DJ Turner II ready to roll after he injured his foot against the Titans. Turner was limited early in the week, but he did not show up on the injury report and is expected to start and play his full role.
Safety Kyle Dugger will not be available. He was ruled out Friday because of the quad injury that has kept him out of three of the last four games.
The rest of Cincinnati’s inactives are offensive tackle Myles Hinton, center Connor Lew and defensive tackle Landon Robinson. The Bengals only need four inactives today because the roster is currently at 52.
The trip to Madrid has been handled with a different rhythm than a normal game week. Cincinnati arrived Wednesday and practiced Thursday and Friday in an effort to get back on a standard schedule.
“I think this is the best compromise we found to make sure that we can get acclimated by Friday, get a really good practice where we feel better, and then play our best on Sunday,” head coach Zac Taylor said on Thursday. “So we’ve all embraced that mindset, and I think it’s working well for us so far.”
“We’re back on schedule,” he added. “Our meetings were the same as they’ve always been on Thursday. So today is more of a third-down emphasis with some normal downs, and then tomorrow will be red zone-based.”
Joe Burrow said the chance to represent the NFL overseas means a lot to him, especially with Cincinnati taking the lone Sunday morning spotlight.
“It means a lot to me that we’re here,” he said Friday. “I think this is Year 7 for me, and I haven’t been overseas yet.
And we keep adding more and more games to try to build the NFL globally. I think it’s worked over the last five years, and I’m hoping to add more and continue to build, and I love being part of that, and I want to help grow the game, and so I love being here.
"I love being the only game on TV on Sunday morning when people back home wake up, and I love showcasing our talents abroad and trying to bring attention to what we do, as far as what our offense brings. I think we’re explosive, we’re dynamic, we’re fun to watch, and I think we’re going to put on a show on Sunday.”
After the game, the Bengals will head straight home and begin turning the page to a major AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Unlike their previous two international trips, there won’t be a bye week to ease the transition back.
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