Tuesday’s Bengals practice was brief, indoors and stripped down by all the weather and wear-and-tear that have started to pile up in camp. But even in a session with limited reps and plenty of players sitting out because of tightness and tweaks, one play still managed to cut through everything else.
Jordan Battle jumped a Joe Burrow deep shot intended for Ja’Marr Chase, turning the day’s lone 11-on-11 period into the defense’s biggest moment before Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium.
Battle ranged over from his single-high spot to make the interception, and he said afterward that this one felt different from the pick he logged against Burrow last year during another indoor practice.
“Very rare,” Battle said. “I was more of a robber last year. This time I was out in the middle of the field.”
He broke down how the play came together, pointing to Chase’s location, Burrow’s shoulder and the quarterback’s release as the clues that told him to jump the route.
“It's all about knowing where Uno (Chase) is on the field," Battle said. "When you're playing middle of the field, you've just got to know certain things, see the quarterback's shoulder -- if it's high, it it's low -- so you can go from breaking down to breaking high.
“I was just reading his eyes and seeing the release of Uno,” he continued. “I saw him going deep, and just breaking before the throw allows you to make plays. I was happy he threw it because I knew I had a chance to make a play, and I did.”
It was Battle’s second interception of Burrow in a camp practice over his four-year career. He also came away with a career-high four interceptions last season after picking off one pass in each of his first two years. That total tied for fourth among safeties in the league and also ranks tied for fourth in Bengals history at the position, behind Reggie Nelson (eight, 2015), Kevin Kaseviharn (six, 2006) and Shawn Williams (five, 2018).
Battle said practice turnovers matter because they give the defense a jolt, even if they don’t show up on a stat sheet that counts for much in August.
“They keep the energy up and gets us started,” he said. “After that, they fumbled a snap and we had a couple (tackles for loss).
It’s just a spark for the defense. Obviously you don’t have momentum in practice, so we create momentum for ourselves.
“I feel like we’ve been doing a good job of that all training camp.”
Zac Taylor said the starters will get some work Thursday against the Lions, though Bryan Cook will not be among them at safety and Dax Hill also will sit out while dealing with soft tissue tweaks. Battle said he welcomes preseason action for exactly that reason.
“Obviously, you don’t want the first regular-season game to be the first time you’re tackling somebody. That can lead to bad things,” he said. “So I love the idea of playing in preseason games, being able to go out there and work on those things now so I don’t have to worry about them in Week 1.
“I’m ready to put my pads on and hit somebody else and take them to the ground,” he added. “It’s a long offseason.
It feels like the time is finally here. I’m excited for this defense.
I’m excited for myself. I’m excited to see what we do as a team.
It’s been looking good. Let’s hope we continue on that path.”
Burrow answered right back on the next drive. He moved the offense to the 2-yard line after connecting with Andrei Iosivas on a slant to set up first and goal.
A pass for Chase at the front pylon was knocked away by Josh Newton, but Burrow went back to the same area on the next snap and found Tee Higgins, who hauled in a one-handed catch and managed to get both feet down as he drifted out of bounds at the pylon.
In Other News...
Joe Burrows Protection Is Already Raising Concerns At Bengals Camp
The Bengals defensive line makeover is already showing up in training camp, and not just in the way the team hoped. After shifting toward a 3-4 look this offseason, the new front has looked strong, active and disruptive, giving Cincinnati a different kind of edge as the pads come on. At the same time, the offense is still working through the same basic question that has followed it into camp: can the line give Joe Burrow enough room to operate?
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 🡒]
Bengals Camp Just Opened A Real Door For DJ Ivey
Training camp has already opened a real opportunity in the Bengals secondary, with the cornerback competition getting a little more interesting by the day. DJ Ivey and rookie Tacario Davis are among the players getting a closer look as the staff sorts through the depth chart, and Ivey has made a strong early impression working against some of Cincinnatis best receivers, including JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins.
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
Zac Taylor is trying to move the conversation past one of the Bengals most familiar worries. After years of hearing questions about how well Joe Burrow has been protected, Taylor pushed back on the idea that the offensive line still deserves that old label, pointing to the fact that the unit has been upgraded over recent seasons. It is a notable shift for a team that has spent plenty of time trying to answer for Burrows safety and stability under center.
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 🡒]