The Bengals got a handful of encouraging offensive rookie showings against the Lions, even with first draft pick Connor Lew sitting out.
Lew, Cincinnati’s first offensive selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, was inactive for the game. The Bengals are taking it slow with him after he tore his left ACL in October of 2025. He has been getting work with both the first and second teams in camp, and the next test will be whether he can get into one of the final two preseason games.
One rookie who kept building momentum was Colbie Young. The fourth-round pick has already turned heads in camp, and he added to that against Detroit with two catches for 28 yards.
He had a chance at a third reception, but the ball was knocked away on a contested play. Young’s frame, hand strength and ability to win those tight-window catches could put him in the mix with Andrei Iosivas for third-receiver snaps during the season.
Brian Parker II also made a strong impression. Cincinnati took him in the sixth round, and after playing mostly right tackle at Duke, he has been working almost entirely on the interior with the Bengals.
Against the Lions, most of his snaps came at left guard, with a few at center late. The pass protection stood out.
He looked composed, trusted his technique and showed enough athleticism to recover when things got messy.
Jack Endries was another rookie who flashed after a quieter camp. He caught three passes for 25 yards and hauled in Cincinnati’s only touchdown of the game from Joe Flacco. Endries has been working to sharpen his blocking both at Texas and now with the Bengals, and while there’s still work ahead, he has a real chance to grow into a dependable all-around tight end.
The final rookie mention goes to undrafted free agent Corey Robinson II. He only played nine snaps in the opener, but he made them count. He looked athletic and kept playing through the whistle, exactly the kind of effort you want to see from an offensive lineman.
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Bengals Rookies Just Gave This Crowded Defense Something To Think About
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Tacario Davis did not take part in the game because of precautionary reasons, but he is expected back soon, adding another name to a group that already has plenty of bodies fighting for snaps. For a defense that is trying to sort out who can stick and who can help, the rookies did exactly what they needed to do by making it harder to look past them. [Read more 🡒]