The Cincinnati Bengals opened preseason play with a win over the Detroit Lions, but the first look wasn’t clean across the board. Joe Burrow was under pressure often while he was in the game, and Cincinnati had to dig for its best moments.
One of those bright spots came from a name plenty of fans are still learning. Tight end Jack Endries, a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, made a strong first impression in his preseason debut. Endries finished with the second-highest PFF grade among rookie tight ends in the opening week of the preseason, posting a grade over 90.
That performance showed up in the kind of plays that get coaches’ attention. Endries turned a crossing route into a 17-yard gain by making multiple Lions defenders miss in space, a reminder that he can do damage after the catch. He also caught the Bengals’ only offensive touchdown, with Joe Flacco finding him for a four-yard score in the second quarter.
If Endries is going to stick, that red zone ability could be his clearest path. Cincinnati already has Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki ahead of him on the depth chart, and Erick All Jr. is another player who could get a look before him. That leaves Endries fighting for a roster spot as a depth option, and the Bengals would likely keep him around if he can keep flashing as a reliable target near the goal line.
There was more than one rookie making noise for Cincinnati, too. Cashius Howell stood out as a pass rusher and made an impact on each rep he was on the field. As the Bengals’ top draft pick this offseason, that kind of production is exactly what the team would want to see.
For Endries, the challenge is simple: keep it going. One strong preseason outing is a good start, but cracking the Week 1 roster will take more of the same.
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Bengals Future Left Tackle Answer May Already Be Taking Shape
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Jordan Seaton and Lance Heard are among the names already surfacing as possible fits, with Renner breaking down what each player has shown in college and where the rough edges still are. For a Bengals team expected to keep left tackle on the shopping list, that kind of early evaluation matters, because the answer to a major roster question may be closer to arriving than it first seemed. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Win Couldnt Hide One Roster Concern As Cuts Near
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Dohnte Meyers was one of the bright spots, making five catches and adding work on kick and punt returns to strengthen his case as cuts approach. Still, for a Cincinnati team trying to sort out the final pieces of its roster, the performance up front left more questions than answers, especially with depth at offensive tackle now looking like a position the front office will have to keep weighing carefully. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Preseason Win Just Fueled Some Tough Roster Battles
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On the other side of the ball, Al Goldens defense continued to give the staff something to build on, and Evan McPherson added his own reassuring touch in a game that had the Bengals looking deeper than the final score. Preseason wins are never just about the scoreboard, but nights like this tend to leave a lasting impression when the back end of the roster starts coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]