**New Stripes**
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While Zac Taylor confirmed that offseason free agent acquisition Bryan Cook will be among the players who will not see action in Thursday's preseason opener, fans will get a look at several other Bengals who joined the team over the past five months. Notably, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, who Cincinnati acquired in a trade less than a week before the NFL Draft, has garnered high praise from his new teammates and coaches throughout the early stages of training camp.
"Honestly, he's been terrorizing practice," wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase [told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein](https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/dexter-lawrence-making-instant-impact-at-bengals-camp-honestly-hes-been-terrorizing-practice-231102266.html?guccounter=1). "I can honestly say that."
"He's bult differently than a lot of humans, obviously," quarterback Joe Burrow [told Kay Adams this week](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9JeOILocw). "He's big, strong, athletic, fast. His hands are quick. You can tell he works on his craft. He's as motivated as ever, as we all are."
Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Giants, will line up alongside other veteran additions like defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, defensive end Boye Mafe and safety Kyle Dugger, among others.
Other players making their first game appearance in stripes are the team's rookie class, headlined by second-round draft choice Cashius Howell. The defensive end out of Texas A&M is coming off a breakout 2025 season in which he racked up 11.5 sacks, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-America honors. Offensively, wide receiver Colbie Young (fourth-round pick out of Georgia) has treated fans to some highlight-reel catches during camp.