The Bengals closed their practice to the public on Monday as there was thunder in the area and the practice fields aren’t as suited for heavy rain as the field inside of Paul Brown Stadium. Unfortunately, that meant no fans were able to watch as James Wright was back in action for the first time since November 2014. Wright was activated off the active/PUP list on Monday morning.
Injuries and who sat out?
- Trevor Roach missed practice after finishing early yesterday. It’s unclear what his injury is.
- Jake Kumerow sat out on Monday after reportedly tweaking his hamstring on Sunday. That’s not good news for Kumerow who needs to be on the field during every available opportunity. We’ll see if he’s back in action tomorrow and able to continue proving why he deserves a spot on the roster.
- Tight end Matt Lengel also appeared to be missing on Monday. It’s unclear why or if he has an injury.
- Karlos Dansby was off on Monday, it’s expected that he received a veterans rest day.
- From the PUP and NFI lists, Vontaze Burfict, Tyler Eifert and Brandon Thompson all were non-participants as well. None can participate until they’re medically cleared to do so. It’s expected that Burfict will be the first of these remaining three players to be activated to play.
On a positive note, Nick Gangwish who left on a cart yesterday was back practicing today, indicating his injury yesterday was likely just cramps. That can be expected during the warm summer months and while players are getting acclimated to NFL practices.
Darqueze Dennard had an excused absence yesterday as he was attending the life memorial of his former Michigan State teammate, Mike Sadler, who passed away in a car accident. You can read about their touching relationship here, which explains why it was so important for Dennard to be in East Lansing yesterday. Dennard credited Sadler with helping him believe in himself when he was struggling to figure out a major, per the Detroit Free Press.
Speaking of Dennard, he went down on the field today and was seen limping and talking to trainers. But, he was able to return moments later.
Darqueze Dennard going to sideline with trainer after hurting himself somehow during 1on1 passing still. #Bengals
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) August 1, 2016
Dennard comes up limping after defending pass to Simonise in 1-on-1 drill. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
Darqueze Dennard came up gimpy after a one-on-one, talking to a trainer, not sure if he'll come back to practice.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 1, 2016
Thankfully, he got back to work just a moments later. Dennard cannot afford a third straight training camp/preseason with an injury.
Dennard runs back on to the field, joins 11 on 11 drill immediately. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
Details from the Bengals media
Bengals rookie offensive lineman Christian Westerman had an impressive play during the first day in pads. +1 for Westerman, the 2016 fifth round pick!
First pancake of camp, and it wasn't Billings. Westerman just put DeShawn Williams on his back in half-line drill. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
Fans won’t be happy to hear the team did the Oklahoma drill in a closed practice.
While rest of team is running half-line drill, WRs and DBs doing a modified version of Oklahoma as things get more physical. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
Here’s a look at the running backs getting to work in the above-mentioned, Oklahoma-like drill.
The running game will be a big key to the Bengals’ success this year. So, this isn’t the most encouraging update.
#Bengals first 11 on 11 drill of the day opens with six straight runs, none of which were very successful.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 1, 2016
On 1st day of full pads for the #Bengals emphasis to this point has been - as you'd expect - individual blocking and run game work.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 1, 2016
This is a good look at undrafted rookie fullback Andrew Bonnet (who is missing from the Bengals’ online roster, but on the team). Here, he goes up against veteran linebacker Vinny Rey.
The pads are popping at #Bengals camp for the first time. FB Andrew Bonnett and LB Vincent Rey battle at the end ... pic.twitter.com/ZvuiVXYDUl
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) August 1, 2016
The Bengals had a mini-reunion in the house on Monday as Willie Anderson is coaching with the team this week, as is Chris Crocker. And then also in attendance on Monday were Takeo Spikes (who works for SiriusXM’s NFL station) and Solomon Wilcots (who holds multiple NFL jobs at varying networks as well as SiriusXM). Here’s a shot of Anderson and Spikes.
Good energy at @Bengals practice today. Ran into my longtime friend @BigWillie7179. pic.twitter.com/zZKnODqbpB
— Takeo Spikes (@TakeoSpikes51) August 1, 2016
An update on the kicker competition (or lack thereof):
Zach Hocker gets his shot at FGs today. Perfect 6 of 6 from 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49. #Bengals Nugent was perfect Saturday.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 1, 2016
A look at Cedric Ogbuehi going up against Carlos Dunlap.
Ogbuehi vs Dunlap #Bengals pic.twitter.com/7JZSlRmAVV
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
There hasn’t been much news on 2015 draft pick Josh Shaw during camp. This is a nice sign though and a great play for Shaw.
Josh Shaw with a pick of Dalton. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/MtEggikH5G
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 1, 2016
Marquis Flowers is apparently practicing with the third team defense.
In third team vs third team, Marquis Flowers stepped in front of a pass for a pick 6. His biggest play of camp. #Bengals
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 1, 2016
Looking ahead at the schedule for the rest of training camp:
TUESDAY, AUG. 2
--Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
--Practice begins at 3 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3
--Off day
THURSDAY, AUG. 4
--Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
--Practice begins at 3 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 5
--Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
--Practice begins at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 6 (FAMILY DAY AT PAUL BROWN STADIUM)
--Gates open at noon
--Practice begins at 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUG. 7
--Off day
MONDAY, AUG. 8
--Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
--Practice begins at 3 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 9
--Off day
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10
--Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
--Practice (with Minnesota Vikings) begins at 3 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 11
--Gates open at 10:30 a.m.
--Practice (with Minnesota Vikings) begins at 11 a.m. (practice time estimated one hour)