Here are the position battles to watch as Cincinnati Bengals approach final preseason game
On the first play of 11-on-11 drills at Wednesday's practice, defensive back Chidobe Awuzie stepped in front of Ja'Marr Chase and intercepted Bengals quarterback Jake Browning.
It's a play that sums up the near month since Joe Burrow's calf injury and the battle between Browning and veteran Trevor Siemian for the backup quarterback spot. Neither has seized any momentum for the roster spot, whether in practice or in two preseason games as both have been given a split share of reps with the first-team offense.
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Browning, entering his third season in Cincinnati, snapped a 20-drive streak without a touchdown on the final offensive possession in last Friday's 13-13 preseason tie against the Atlanta Falcons. Right before that 8-play, 80-yard march, though, he threw an ill-timed interception. Each quarterback got reps with both the first- and second-team offenses Wednesday with mixed results.
While there was success on short, immediate routes, neither signal-caller was able to stretch the field, outside of a Siemian 40-yard touchdown to a wide-open Trent Taylor on a wheel route that fooled Allan George.
Zac Taylor shared positive news surrounding Burrow's injury earlier this week, but also said the backup quarterback race "is not over yet." The Browning-Siemian struggle is one of the key battles to watch going into Saturday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders.
How many receivers will the Bengals keep on the 53-man roster?
Last August, the Bengals kept just five receivers on their 53-man roster and were able to stash Trenton Irwin on the practice squad after he cleared waivers.
But there's a different feel to one of the league's top receiving units this summer after adding a pair of wideouts in the NFL draft. Along with the usual trio of Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, rookies Charlie Jones and sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas should make the 53-man roster. Iosivas has displayed his athleticism in the preseason, totaling nine catches for 94 yards on a team-high 20 targets. Jones, a fourth-round pick, has six catches for 47 yards.
Who is the odd man out? Irwin should slot in as the No. 6 receiver after an impressive final half of the regular season last year when Chase and Higgins were banged up. Stanley Morgan Jr. has five career catches in four seasons in Cincinnati but has been a special teams ace for Darrin Simmons. That could leave Trent Taylor on the chopping block if Jones serves as the primary punt returner.
Speaking of pass-catchers, the Bengals will likely keep three tight ends. Drew Sample and Irv Smith Jr. seem like roster locks, leaving the third-string position up for grabs between Mitchell Wilcox and journeyman Tanner Hudson. With Wilcox coming off the PUP list on Monday, he seems to have the upper hand.
Will offensive line versatility lead to cuts?
The Bengals have their best offensive line in the Taylor era going into the 2023 season. Hitting on draft picks like Cordell Volson and offseason spending sprees (Orlando Brown Jr., La'el Collins, Ted Karras and Alex Cappa) have ensured that.
There are still jobs to be filled in backup roles up front for Frank Pollack's unit. Last year, offensive line injuries hampered the Bengals down the stretch and into the playoffs. On the second-string unit, Max Scharping and Trey Hill are trying to be swing players, available at moment's notice to fill in at either center or guard.
"See who can be really comfortable at both spots for us," Pollack said.
It's the same scenario for Jackson Carman and Cody Ford, who are trying to add value at both tackle and guard and should see a lion's share of reps against the Commanders. The Bengals like what they've seen from third-year tackle D'Ante Smith. If the versatility movement allows the Bengals to keep just nine offensive linemen (compared to 10 last year), Hakeem Adeniji could be out.
A lot could depend on Saturday's preseason finale, both in pass protection and in the run game. There's been little room for running backs to run in two games thus far as Chase Brown and Chris Evans have combined for just 94 yards on 31 attempts, which includes a 33-yard run by Evans against Green Bay.
Bengals have a young, growing secondary
With each rep, the Bengals young secondary − questioned as a weakness for Lou Anarumo after the departure of Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell − is gaining confidence. On Wednesday, seventh-round pick D.J. Ivey made another highlight-reel play with an athletic break-up of a back-shoulder fade from Siemian to Irwin. Ivey knocked it up and Akeem Davis-Gaither picked it off.
"What made them grow early on is their ability to make plays early. That gave guys confidence. When you make plays early on against good players, they feel like they belong," Boyd said.
The Bengals drafted Dax Hill in the first round a year ago and brought in fifth-year man Nick Scott to start alongside him at safety. They also drafted Jordan Battle in the third round and had 2022 fifth-rounder Tycen Anderson coming back from a season-long injury. Who is out? Likely it would be Michael Thomas, a locker room favorite and special teams weapon.
At corner, Ivey has played himself into a likely spot on the 53-man roster to go with D.J. Turner II, Cam Taylor-Britt, Awuzie and Hilton. That leaves Jalen Davis, Allan George and Sidney Jones IV battling it out.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here are the position battles to watch in Bengals final preseason game
