Bengals Bytes (8/28): Slipping away

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert expresses gratitude for military
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert expressed his appreciation for the military via his social media accounts on Saturday. Eifert, who has a cousin currently deployed overseas, posted a picture on his Instagram account of a jet with a Bengals flag visible through the glass.

Erickson's small-town dreams stalk big time
As the Bengals head to Jacksonville for Sunday’s pre-season game (8 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 5), the summer’s most intriguing roster joust is basically a coin flip. Heads is 28-year-old Brandon Tate, the franchise punt return leader, a methodical, grinding veteran who somehow finds a way to make it every year.

Former Bengals tight end Ben Utecht chronicles life with memory loss
On paper, Ben Utecht’s time in Cincinnati was brief, uneventful. He was signed in the spring of 2008, played an injury-affected 10 games, and then the professional biography ends. He caught 16 passes that year and finished his four-year career with 87 catches and 923 yards.

AFC North Bytes

Watch Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco went 11 for 16 for 94 yards in his first action since November, but the Baltimore Ravens lost tight end Benjamin Watson to a season-ending injury during a 30-9 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. Coming off surgery to repair ligaments in his left knee, Flacco played in two series spanning the first quarter. He took the Ravens (3-0) to a field goal in their opening possession and ended his performance by misfiring on a fourth-down pass from the Detroit 43.

Cleveland Browns 53-Man Roster Projection (First Cuts Projection)
Three preseason games have come and gone for the Cleveland Browns. With the team needing to trim their roster from 88 to 75 players by 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, August 30th, it is time for me to unveil my second 53-man roster projection of the season. This edition is based on the weeks of training camp reports and performances from the three preseason games.

Cam Heyward Injury: Updates on Steelers Star's Ankle and Return
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward was carted off against the New Orleans Saints on Friday due to a high ankle sprain, but he does not expect to miss time during the regular season.

Random Bytes

Colin Kaepernick explains protest of National Anthem
The 49ers quarterback has refused to stand for the National Anthem, telling Steve Wyche, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color."

Matthew Berry 2016 fantasy football rankings
Here's my current take on my top-200 and positional rankings for the 2016 fantasy football season, using ESPN 10-team league standard scoring (in other words, no PPR, two RBs, two WRs, a TE and one flex). As you check these ranks, always look for the "time stamp," which is the date and time the ranks were last updated.

NBA players don't hold back vs. kids
Check out some moments where NBA stars show no mercy playing basketball against kids, including Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid bringing out the block party.

Siemian solidifies QB job in Denver's 17-9 win over Rams
Trevor Siemian thinks he's done enough to win the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job. If he feels the same way, coach Gary Kubiak isn't saying just yet.

Tony Romo Injury Update: Cowboys QB Reportedly Out 6-10 Weeks with Back Fracture
Tony Romo's optimism after injuring his back during Thursday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks gave way to some disappointment, as the Dallas Cowboys quarterback received the news he suffered a fractured bone due to Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril's hit.

Jerry Jones Comments on Video of Ezekiel Elliott Allegedly in Pot Dispensary
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed disappointment Thursday night after a video emerged allegedly showing rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott visiting a recreational weed shop in Seattle.

Victor Cruz back in action for New York Giants
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz returned to game action Saturday night after 685 days away due to injuries. Cruz had one catch in 30 snaps in the team's 21-20 win against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.