The Bengals may have to lean on a younger face in the nickel cornerback mix if Jalen Davis’ hamstring keeps him out.
Davis exited Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Steelers in the third quarter and was initially listed as questionable to return. Head coach Zac Taylor didn’t offer a firm update on Monday, saying only that Davis will be monitored this week.
If Davis can’t go in Week 4, rookie Tacario Davis looks like the next man up.
Tacario has barely seen the field on defense through the first three games, but he put enough on tape in the preseason to make the roster, including a strong showing in the preseason finale against Philadelphia. Taylor pointed to the rookie’s development Monday, saying, “He’s got room for improvement, but he’s got a good attitude about it.”
For now, the expectation is that Tacario would pick up more snaps while Jalen is sidelined. That’s not the way the Bengals wanted to create an opening, but it is the kind of chance they hoped their young defensive backs would eventually earn.
Jalen had been the primary backup behind Dax Hill at nickel, so his absence would thin out one more experienced option for Al Golden’s secondary. The Bengals do have Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, and others available, and Josh Newton was a healthy scratch on Sunday, which suggests he would be active if Davis misses time.
How much this shifts the rotation depends on the severity of the hamstring injury. But if Jalen is out, Tacario should get a real shot to turn that preseason promise into something bigger when it counts.
In Other News...
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The Bengals entered the 2025 draft hoping Shemar Stewart would become a difference-maker off the edge, but the early return has only sharpened the spotlight on that decision. Selected 17th overall, Stewart had a minimal rookie impact and then did not play a defensive snap in Cincinnatis AFC North opener in his second season, a development that left the Bengals looking for answers from a pick they expected to help reshape the front.
Meanwhile, Derrick Harmon, the defensive tackle the Steelers took in that same range, was making his presence felt in the same game with a key strip sack. For Cincinnati, the comparison is hard to ignore because it goes beyond one play or one afternoon, touching the way the defense might have looked, the resources the team has tied up, and how much pain lingers when a first-round swing doesnt land the way the front office envisioned. [Read more 🡒]
Amarius Mims Passed A Huge Bengals Test Despite One Costly Mistake
Amarius Mims had the kind of game the Bengals have been waiting to see from their 2024 first-round pick. Against the Steelers, he held up well at right tackle and gave Joe Burrow a cleaner pocket than Cincinnati has often had this season, even with Pittsburgh sending elite pressure off the edge. For a young tackle still learning the NFL pace, the performance suggested he can already handle big moments against top pass rushers like T.J. Watt.
Of course, it was not a spotless afternoon. Mims had some penalties and a late pass protection breakdown, the sort of hiccup that can swing attention in a close divisional game, and Cincinnati fell 30-27 anyway. The bigger concern for the Bengals was not just one rookie mistake, but how the loss also featured problems on defense and special teams, leaving Mims' encouraging work as one of the few clear positives to come out of the day. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Injury Concerns Suddenly Loom Larger After Steelers Loss
The Bengals left Pittsburgh with more than just a loss to process, and Zac Taylors postgame injury update added another layer to an already uneasy Sunday. Colbie Young looks likely to miss next weeks game against the Jaguars, while several other injured players remain in limbo as Cincinnati tries to sort out its roster heading into the next stretch.
Taylor also addressed defensive end Shemar Stewarts limited workload, tying it to his recent practice history, while Joe Burrow said he came out of the game without any new injuries. Burrows focus was on the missed chances against the Steelers, but the bigger question for Cincinnati now is how many moving parts will still be available when the Bengals try to bounce back. [Read more 🡒]