The [Cincinnati Bengals](/)’ first preseason game is in the books. They pulled out a two-point win, 16-14, at home against the Detroit Lions. Most of the Bengals’ starters played, and we got our first good look at some of the new guys looking to crack the final roster.
Here’s how I think things stand after Preseason Week 1.
Here are the previous versions:
**Cut:** Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson
**Notes:** No changes. Burrow and Flacco are the guys. The only thing that would change that is an injury.
* Chase Brown
* Samaje Perine
* Tahj Brooks
**Cut:** Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton
**Notes:** The Bengals started the game with Burrow under center for the first three snaps on offense. They’re making it clear they want to add this wrinkle to an already formidable offense. Whether or not it’ll take hold is another story. Either way, with Burrow and the best wide receiver duo in the league on the roster, the running game will always be secondary to the passing game.
Still, Tahj Brooks hasn’t exactly done much to stand out, nor has any other back on the roster. This could be a position the Bengals make an addition at during final roster cuts.
* Ja’Marr Chase
* Tee Higgins
* Andrei Iosivas
* Charlie Jones
* Mitchell Tinsley
* Colbie Young
**Cut:** Xavier Johnson, Dohnte Myers, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams, Kendrick Pryor
**Notes:** Chase and Higgins are 1 and 1A, and it seems as if Iosivas has the inside track at WR3. Jones has earned his job on special teams, and Tinsley and Young are both impressive young guys who add excellent depth.
Former CFL standout Dohnte Myers had a nice preseason debut after making plays throughout training camp, so there’s a chance he’ll be able to take Mitchell Tinsley’s spot on the 53-man roster. If nothing else, Myers is someone the Bengals will almost certainly try to get onto the practice squad if he’s waived.
* Mike Gesicki
* Drew Sample
* Tanner Hudson
* Jack Endries
* Erick All Jr.
**Cut:** Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus
**Notes:** Gesicki is more like a slot receiver than tight end, and Sample and Hudson have shown they belong. Endries caught three passes (sharing the lead for the Bengals on Thursday night) and scored the team’s lone touchdown on a pass from Joe Flacco, meaning he was in the game before Hudson got going. That’s a good sign, but he needs to keep performing well since keeping five tight ends can be a hard sell.
* Orlando Brown Jr.
* Dylan Fairchild
* Ted Karras
* Dalton Risner
* Amarius Mims
* Cody Ford
* Jalen Rivers
* Andrew Coker
* Conner Lew
* Brian Parker II
**Cut:** OT Javon Foster, OT Corey Robinson II, OT Christian Jones, G Liam Brown, C Jacob Bayer
**Notes:** Burrow got hit a couple of times and took a sack. It wasn’t exactly the start we would have liked to see from the starting offensive line, but it’s early, and kinks still need to be worked out. This offensive line could use a little help at depth, but it’s still the best Burrow has had in his career.
* DE Boye Mafe
* DT Dexter Lawrence II
* DT Jonathan Allen
* DE Shemar Stewart
* DE Myles Murphy
* DT B.J. Hill
* DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
* DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
* DE Cashius Howell
* DT Landon Robinson
**Cut:** DE Isaiah Foskey, DE Cedric Johnson, DT Howard Cross III, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson
**Notes**: It appears as if Shemar Stewart avoided a major injury, though there could be a chance he’s placed on IR in Week 1 to ensure he gets ample time to heal 100%. BJ Hill seems as if he’ll be ready by the start of the season. This defensive line went from a weakness to a strength. It’s a deep and talented group, and that should trickle down to the rest of the defense.
The real question mark is Landon Robinson. He’s had a decent training camp thus far and made several nice plays in the win over Detroit. He’ll need to keep that up to secure that final defensive tackle spot.
* Demetrius Knight Jr.
* Barrett Carter
* Oren Burks
* Joe Giles-Harris
**Cut:** Liam Anderson, Swayze Bozeman, Jack Dingle, Eric Gentry, Antwan Powell-Ryland, Shaka Heyward
**Notes:** In the last roster projection, I had the Bengals keeping five linebackers. Now with five tight ends, the extra room has to come from somewhere. Linebacker it is.
* DJ Turner II
* Dax Hill
* Jalen Davis
* DJ Ivey
* Ja’Sir Taylor
* Tacario Davis
**Cut:** Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, Ceyair Wright, Josh Newton
**Notes:** This group seems pretty set to me. Newton is in the doghouse, and Ivey and both Davises are reportedly impressing at camp. Bralyn Lux is also making a push and has even gotten some run with the 1s, so this is a position that will have several close calls come cutdown day.
* Bryan Cook
* Jordan Battle
* Kyle Dugger
* Daijahn Anthony
**Cut:** PJ Jules, Russ Yeast, Isaiah Nwokobia
**Notes:** Cook didn’t play on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean a thing. He and Battle will start, with Dugger and Anthony backing them up and contributing on special teams.
* K - Evan McPherson
* P - Ryan Rehkow
* LS - William Wagner
Who caught your eye on Thursday night?