On today's show, we break down what we have learned so far at Bengals training camp and react to Marvin Lewis' comments on Bengals ownership. Plus, Eugenio Suarez and TJ Friedl clear waivers and will remain with the Reds through the rest of the season.

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The Cincinnati Bengals close out the preseason tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Cincinnati enters the finale 2-0, but the most important number heading into tonight isn't the record — it's 53. With final roster cuts due Sunday evening, this is the last meaningful audition for players fighting to keep their NFL dreams alive.

The Bengals will not play their starters, meaning Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the rest of Cincinnati's established core will watch from the sideline. That's especially sensible after Chase experienced a left-knee hyperextension at practice earlier this week. Chase said he wasn't concerned about the injury, but the Bengals are taking no chances with their biggest offensive weapon this close to the regular season. 

Instead, the spotlight shifts to the depth chart. One of the biggest competitions is at swing tackle, where Jalen Rivers and Javon Foster have opportunities following the release of veteran Cody Ford. Both received significant playing time in last week's win over Chicago, and another strong performance could influence Cincinnati's final decisions. 

The running-back battle also deserves attention, particularly Tahj Brooks, who has shown improved blocking and receiving despite not producing much on the ground during the first two preseason games. Wide receivers and defensive linemen will likewise have players trying to turn tonight's snaps into a roster spot. 

For Cincinnati, this isn't really about winning another preseason game. It's about evaluation, depth and avoiding injuries. For dozens of players, however, it may be the biggest game they've played all year. With the 53-man deadline approaching, every special-teams rep, third-down conversion, tackle and mistake could matter.

So while Burrow-to-Chase won't be the attraction tonight, there is plenty at stake. The preseason finale is where the Bengals' roster starts taking its final shape.

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On today's show, we react to the Reds placing Eugenio Suarez & TJ Friedl on waivers on the heels of Suarez hitting a clutch grand slam against the Giants last night. Plus, some players who have stuck out at Bengals training camp and a preview of tomorrow night's preseason finale against the Eagles.

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The Cincinnati Bengals close out the preseason Friday night in Philadelphia, and this one is all about the players trying to make the roster.

The Bengals enter the finale with a 2-0 record after impressive victories over Detroit and Chicago, but the starters won't be part of the equation. Zac Taylor has confirmed that Cincinnati will sit its regular-season starters, including Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest of the first team. The decision is especially timely after Chase experienced a minor knee hyperextension earlier this week, although he is expected to have plenty of time to recover before the regular-season opener. 

Instead, Friday night belongs to the Bengals' young players and roster hopefuls. Cincinnati has several intriguing battles still to settle, particularly at wide receiver, tight end, quarterback and along the defensive front. Players such as Dohnte Meyers, Colbie Young, Landon Robinson, Isaiah Foskey and others have an opportunity to make one final impression before the roster is trimmed to 53 players. 

The quarterback position will be worth watching, too. Veteran Josh Johnson has already provided steady play this preseason, including two touchdown passes in last week's 27-9 win over Chicago. Sean Clifford has also shown flashes, and another strong performance could help determine his place in Cincinnati's plans moving forward. 

For the Bengals, the objective isn't necessarily to go 3-0. It's to get through the night healthy while giving the coaching staff as much information as possible before final roster decisions are made.

That makes this less of a traditional Bengals-Eagles showdown and more of a job interview. For the players fighting for their NFL futures, though, every snap matters. Cincinnati's starters will be watching from the sideline—but plenty of players on the field will have something significant to prove.

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On today's show, we react to Ja'Marr Chase's injury scare at practice yesterday. Plus, Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the starting QB for the Browns, and why has the Big 10 had the upper hand on the SEC?

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Ja’Marr Chase gave the Cincinnati Bengals a major scare Tuesday, Aug. 25, when the star wide receiver went down awkwardly during training camp practice. Chase was running a deep route against cornerback D.J. Turner II and went up for a pass from Joe Burrow. Turner got a hand on the ball, and Chase landed awkwardly on his left leg before immediately grabbing his knee.

The initial video was concerning because Chase appeared to favor his left knee and had to hobble toward the sideline. Athletic trainers examined him, but Chase was able to leave the field under his own power. He remained around the team rather than heading to the locker room and was later seen moving around and talking with teammates. The Bengals ultimately kept him out for the remainder of practice as a precaution.

The good news came after practice. Chase described the injury as a “little hyperextension” of his left knee and said he was feeling fine. He told reporters he believed he could have continued practicing, but said the Bengals pulled him from the session. Most encouragingly, Chase said that if Cincinnati had a game the following day, he would be ready to play.

That makes Tuesday’s incident look considerably less serious than it initially appeared. There has been no indication from the Bengals that Chase suffered a major structural injury, and current reports characterize the issue as a minor knee hyperextension. Still, Cincinnati has every reason to be cautious with its most important offensive player this close to the regular season.

Chase is coming off an outstanding 2025 season in which he caught 125 passes for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pro honors. With the Bengals’ season opener approaching, the priority will be keeping him healthy rather than pushing him through additional preseason work.

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On today's show, we break down some takeaways from Saturday night's preseason matchup between the Bengals and the Bears. Cincinnati clearly has mass depth at the WR position, but it is also becoming apparent that they will need to add to the OL. Plus, Cody Ford was released after another rough outing. 

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The Bengals didn’t need Joe Burrow or their other starters to make a statement in Preseason Week 2. Instead, Cincinnati’s depth took center stage in a convincing 27-9 victory over the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium.

The biggest takeaway was the performance of veteran quarterback Josh Johnson. With Cincinnati resting its top quarterbacks, the 40-year-old Johnson looked comfortable and efficient, completing 15 of 23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He led a 14-play, 67-yard opening drive against Chicago’s starting defense and later connected with rookie receiver Colbie Young for a 17-yard touchdown before finding Tanner Hudson for another score.

Young continued to strengthen his case for a roster spot, catching three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Rookie defensive tackle Landon Robinson also flashed, including a 12-yard sack of Bears quarterback Miller Moss. Cincinnati’s young players are making the roster competition increasingly interesting as the preseason winds down.

Sean Clifford added another encouraging performance after taking over at quarterback, immediately leading a scoring drive and throwing a 20-yard touchdown to rookie receiver Noah Thomas. Evan McPherson was also perfect on his field-goal attempts, including an impressive 58-yarder.

There were still concerns. The offensive line depth remains a question, particularly at tackle, while Cincinnati will need to monitor linebacker and cornerback depth. Cody Ford’s struggles against Chicago further highlighted the need for dependable protection behind the starters.

Still, going 2-0 in the preseason while getting valuable reps for young players is a positive sign. For Cincinnati, Week 2 was less about the final score and more about discovering which depth players can help the Bengals when the games start counting.

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On today's show, we break down some free agent offensive line targets for the Bengals as the month of August comes to a close. Plus, Sal Stewart carries the Reds to a win, the NFL injury bug, and 5 QBs to watch in college football this season.

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The Cincinnati Bengals are changing course for preseason Week 2. After giving their starters a brief run in last week’s 16-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, Zac Taylor has decided the first-teamers will sit Saturday night against the Chicago Bears.

That decision makes sense, particularly with Cincinnati and Chicago spending the week together in a joint practice. The Bengals are getting a much more valuable evaluation opportunity against the Bears’ starters during practice, where coaches can watch players compete over a larger sample of snaps and situations without putting their established starters through another preseason game. The preseason matchup kicks off Saturday, Aug. 22, at Paycor Stadium.

So what will Cincinnati be watching?

Quarterback depth is a major storyline. With Joe Burrow sitting, Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford should get the opportunity to show who can operate the offense efficiently behind the starter. Flacco saw extensive action against Detroit, while the Bengals continue evaluating how the entire quarterback room fits together.

The roster battles are even more important. Cincinnati has legitimate competition at wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker and defensive back. Rookie tight end Jack Endries, receivers Colbie Young and Dohnte Meyers, and several young defensive linemen made strong impressions against Detroit. Saturday gives those players another chance to turn flashes into consistency.

The offensive line will also be under the microscope. The Bengals need to determine which backups can protect the quarterback, move defenders in the run game and provide dependable depth if injuries hit during the regular season.

Ultimately, Saturday isn't about proving whether the Bengals' stars are ready. Cincinnati already has a pretty good idea of what Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the other core starters can do. This game is about figuring out who belongs behind them—and who is making a legitimate push for a roster spot.

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On today's show, we take a look at some matchups to watch before the Bengals' joint practice tomorrow with the Chicago Bears. Plus, Joey Votto joked about being interested in the Reds GM job; should Cincinnati reach out? Plus, Roger Goodell essentially says it is only a matter of time before we have international teams in the NFL.

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Thursday’s joint practice with the Chicago Bears should provide the Cincinnati Bengals with their most meaningful test of training camp yet. Cincinnati will host Chicago on Aug. 20, two days before the teams meet in a preseason game at Paycor Stadium, giving the Bengals an opportunity to test their starters and young players against a different opponent before the regular-season preparation really ramps up.

For the Bengals, the biggest storyline is the revamped defense. Cincinnati’s front has generated plenty of buzz during camp, and the unit enters Thursday’s work coming off a strong showing in its final practice against itself. The joint session should provide a much better measuring stick, particularly against a Bears offense led by quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bengals have also been getting encouraging work from players such as Josh Newton and second-year linebacker Demetrius Knight, making the practice valuable for players trying to solidify their roles.

On offense, all eyes will naturally turn to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Tuesday’s practice featured a number of encouraging plays from Burrow and the passing game, including a touchdown connection with Chase, but there were also enough mistakes to give Zac Taylor plenty to emphasize before Cincinnati takes the field against Chicago.

The injury situation will also be worth monitoring. Safeties Dax Hill and Bryan Cook have been sidelined, while Cincinnati has continued to evaluate its depth at several positions. That makes Thursday especially important for players fighting for roster spots and expanded roles.

Ultimately, this is less about “winning” a joint practice and more about discovering how Cincinnati’s revamped roster responds when the jerseys across the line are a different color. The Bengals should get their clearest preseason indication yet of where they stand.

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On today's show, we discuss how the Bengals' top positional concerns at LB, OL, and CB have developed over the course of training camp. Also, Ryan Day is changing senior day, Jeremiyah Love gets injured after getting 17 touches in a preseason game, and reaction to the first AP top 25.

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As the Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 season with playoff expectations, three positions deserve close attention: offensive tackle, linebacker and cornerback. None is necessarily a disaster, but each carries enough uncertainty to become a problem if injuries or inconsistent play strike.

Offensive tackle is a concern because Cincinnati cannot afford to let protection become a weakness in front of Joe Burrow. Orlando Brown Jr. remains an important piece on the left side, but he is now 30, while the depth behind the starters is less proven. The Bengals’ current roster does offer options such as Cody Ford, but recent roster evaluations have continued to identify offensive-line depth as an area of concern. The Bengals need their tackles to stay healthy and provide consistent pass protection, particularly against the AFC North’s talented defensive fronts.

Linebacker may be the biggest defensive question mark. Cincinnati is counting heavily on young players such as Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, who were forced into significant roles last season after Logan Wilson was traded. The Bengals added veterans and competition, but the unit still lacks the proven, high-level presence of some divisional rivals. If the young linebackers take a major step forward, this concern could quickly disappear. If they don't, Cincinnati could struggle against the run and in coverage.

Cornerback is another position where the Bengals have talent but uncertainty. DJ Turner has emerged as a promising player, but Cincinnati lost Cam Taylor-Britt and is relying on younger options to fill out the group. The AFC North is loaded with quarterbacks and receivers capable of exposing depth issues, making reliable cornerback play essential.

Ultimately, these three positions could determine how far the Bengals go in 2026. Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and an improved defensive front give Cincinnati plenty of strength, but weaknesses at tackle, linebacker or corner could prevent the team from reaching its ceiling.

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On today's show, we discuss the latest Bengals roster moves as well as BJ Hill's return to practice. Plus, Ty Simpson impresses in preseason debut, Browns QB battle, Scottie Scheffler's win at FedEx St. Jude, and more.

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The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up Day 12 of training camp Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Kettering Health Practice Fields, with the team continuing preparations for its upcoming preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears.

The biggest storyline from the session was the continued sharp play of quarterback Joe Burrow. Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson named Burrow the Player of the Day, describing his execution as particularly impressive during a practice held in the middle of August's “dog days.” Burrow's consistency remains one of the most encouraging developments of camp as Cincinnati works to build momentum heading into the regular season.

The offense also received contributions from players fighting for roster spots and expanded roles. With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins getting a rest day, other receivers had an opportunity to make their case. Rookie Colbie Young took advantage, making an impressive back-shoulder catch from Burrow over fellow rookie cornerback Tacario Davis.

Defensively, the Bengals continued to show the physicality that has been a major theme throughout camp. New defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was vocal during team drills, demanding greater effort after the offense gained the upper hand. That intensity reflects the expectations surrounding Cincinnati's revamped defensive front.

There was also positive news on the health front. Myles Murphy returned to full participation after dealing with cramps the previous day, while B.J. Hill had already returned to practice following his ankle rehabilitation.

Overall, Day 12 offered another encouraging glimpse of a Bengals team becoming more physical, competitive and deeper. With joint practices ahead, the intensity is only expected to increase.

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On today's show, we break down some Bengals winners and losers after last night's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. Plus, our first Bengals 53-man roster projection with a couple of surprises. Also, what is Jayden Daniels doing?

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The Cincinnati Bengals opened the 2026 preseason with a gritty 16-14 victory over the Detroit Lions Thursday night at Paycor Stadium. While the final score was close, the game gave Cincinnati plenty of encouraging signs as coaches evaluated young players and roster battles.

The Bengals got a quick look at Joe Burrow, who played briefly before giving way to the backups. Detroit’s Ahmed Hassanein immediately made his presence felt, sacking Burrow on his first snap. Cincinnati answered with Joe Flacco, who provided some stability and threw a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries. Endries was one of several young Bengals who stood out during the night.

Cincinnati’s defense was arguably the biggest positive. The unit played aggressively, generated turnovers and consistently created pressure. Kris Jenkins Jr. recorded a sack, while the Bengals' defense showed the kind of energy that new defensive coordinator Al Golden will want to build on as the preseason continues.

Special teams also played an important role. Evan McPherson connected on three field goals, including a 56-yarder in rainy conditions, giving Cincinnati valuable points in a game where every possession mattered.

For Detroit, the loss was disappointing, but preseason results are rarely about the final record. The Lions got impressive performances from Hassanein and running back Jacob Saylors, while their defense forced four fumbles and kept the Bengals from pulling away.

In the end, Cincinnati made enough plays to escape with the win. It was only preseason, but a 16-14 victory over a talented Detroit roster provided Bengals fans with plenty to feel good about heading into the next week.

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On today's show, we preview tonight's preseason game between the Bengals and the Lions, including important battles at WR and DL. Plus, is Tony Romo done at CBS? Thoughts on Russell Westbrook's legacy and new story on Ben Johnson.

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The Cincinnati Bengals open the preseason tonight at Paycor Stadium against the Detroit Lions, and while the result matters less than the evaluation, there is plenty to like about Cincinnati’s setup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The biggest attraction is Joe Burrow. Bengals coach Zac Taylor plans to give his starters limited action, meaning Burrow should get at least a brief opportunity to shake off the offseason rust and establish some early rhythm. That makes Cincinnati’s opening series especially intriguing: even a handful of efficient drives could provide a glimpse of how dangerous this offense can be when the games count.

Cincinnati also has some fascinating roster battles to watch. The competition at nickel corner, tight end and offensive tackle could make tonight important for players fighting to secure jobs. Rookie receiver Colbie Young is another name worth tracking. His size and ability to make contested catches have reportedly stood out in camp, and this is his first chance to translate that promise into game action.

The Bengals’ defensive development may be even more significant. New addition Dexter Lawrence II has already drawn praise, while linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter will be under the microscope. Cincinnati is hoping an improved defense can complement its established quarterback and explosive receiving talent.

Detroit presents a somewhat unusual preseason opponent: the Lions are expected to rest most of their starters, while rookie first-round pick Blake Miller is among the notable exceptions. That gives Cincinnati an opportunity to test its depth against a Detroit roster tilted heavily toward younger players.

For Bengals fans, the ideal night is simple: Burrow looks sharp, the young receivers make plays, the defense flashes its offseason improvements, and nobody gets hurt. If Cincinnati checks those boxes, the scoreboard becomes almost an afterthought.

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