Preseason Week 2 is in the books, and the [Cincinnati Bengals](/) are 2-0 (not that it really means anything). They handily defeated the Bears — who played their starters for a short period of time while the Bengals didn’t — by a score of 27-9.
The Bengals’ defense kept the Bears out of the end zone throughout the entire game, and both Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford were able to move the ball down the field.
Here’s where I think things stand for the 53-man roster after Week 2 of the preseason.
**Cut:** Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson
* Chase Brown
* Samaje Perine
* Tahj Brooks
**Cut:** Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton
**Notes:** No changes, though I still think this is a sneaky position where the Bengals could add some depth/talent in free agency.
* Ja’Marr Chase
* Tee Higgins
* Andrei Iosivas
* Dohnte Meyers
* Mitchell Tinsley
* Colbie Young
**Cut:** Xavier Johnson, Charlie Jones, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams, Kendrick Pryor
**Notes:** Let’s get this out of the way: Chase, Higgins, and Iosivas are on the roster.
I cannot, however, justify keeping Jones on if it means that Meyers, Tinsley, or Young get cut. The Bengals aren’t going with seven wide receivers, so Chuck Sizzle is out.
* Mike Gesicki
* Drew Sample
* Jack Endries
* Erick All Jr.
**Cut:** Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus, Tanner Hudson
**Notes:** Four or five? That is the question. For now, I’m sticking with four.
Hudson is the hard cut here. He has the trust of both quarterbacks and coaches, but there are only so many mouths to feed.
* Orlando Brown Jr.
* Dylan Fairchild
* Ted Karras
* Dalton Risner
* Amarius Mims
* Cody Ford
* Jalen Rivers
* Conner Lew
* Brian Parker II
**Cut:** Javon Foster, Corey Robinson II, Christian Jones, Liam Brown, Jacob Bayer, Andrew Coker
**Notes:** The Bengals’ starting line didn’t play and is set. The backup offensive linemen weren’t awe-inspiring on Saturday night. Ford struggled badly, and he seemed like he’d be the first lineman off the bench (outside of center) at the beginning of the season.
I hope the Bengals will be looking at backup linemen who are available when cuts are made around the league. Maybe they could trade for a swing tackle.
* 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
* DE Cedric Johnson
**Cut:** DE Isaiah Foskey, DT Howard Cross III, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson
**Notes**: Hill has been cleared to practice and is going to be on the active roster. If I took anything away from Saturday’s game, it’s that Robinson will not only make this team, but he might push for some meaningful snaps in a very deep defensive tackle rotation. This is bad news for Jackson, Cross, and Jefferson.
The defensive line has gone from a position of weakness to great strength in just one offseason.
* Demetrius Knight Jr.
* Barrett Carter
* Oren Burks
* Swayze Bozeman
* Liam Anderson
**Cut:** Joe Giles-Harris, Jack Dingle, Eric Gentry, Antwan Powell-Ryland, Shaka Heyward
**Notes:** A little shakeup here. Anderson played well, as did Bozeman. I think the Bengals could keep five linebackers instead of the four I had them with last week.
* DJ Turner II
* Dax Hill
* Jalen Davis
* DJ Ivey
* Ja’Sir Taylor
* Tacario Davis
**Cut:** Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, Ceyair Wright, Josh Newton
**Notes:** I think this group of six is set. I would have liked to see the Bengals add another free agent here. Hopefully everyone is able to stay healthy.
* Bryan Cook
* Jordan Battle
* Kyle Dugger
* Daijahn Anthony
**Cut:** PJ Jules, Russ Yeast, Isaiah Nwokobia
**Notes:** No change. I could see the last spot going to Anthony or Jules. For now, I’m sticking with Anthony.
* K - Evan McPherson
* P - Ryan Rehkow
* LS - William Wagner