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Two minicamp practices down, one to go.
The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their second minicamp session on Wednesday, meaning the team has just one more offseason workout before a five-week break until training camp.
@Joe_MainMixon and the RB's getting it in today at PBS #Bengals #WhoDey @WLWT pic.twitter.com/hfFcPRydAG
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) June 14, 2017
By now, you likely know the big story of the day: Second-year wide receiver Cody Core suffered a leg injury. It’s unfortunate to see, especially since Cincinnati has avoided offseason injuries thus far, and they were just one more practice away from making it to training camp without one. The good news is that Core is expected to be OK and word is, he’ll be ready for training camp. What looked terrible, may turn out to be just a blip in the radar.
Sticking to injuries, first-round receiver John Ross was again present as he works his way back from shoulder surgery. He’s not doing significant on-field work in minicamp, but he has been able to soak in this NFL environment and be with his teammates. He’s running routes and lining up on the field, which is nice to see.
Bengals WR John Ross is going through the same routine as yesterday. He's doing some drills without a helmet but nothing with contact
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Fifth-round center J.J. Dielman was also present and doing some light work. It sounds like Dielman should be cleared to return from his foot injury by the time camp is here. With Dielman out, that means more practice reps for players he’s battling for roster spots, including Trey
Trey Hopkins getting some work today at RG. #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) June 14, 2017
He's been at pretty much every spot this offseason.
s.
Now in his fourth year with the Bengals, Hopkins is vying for a backup guard spot while showing he can also play center and even tackle.
So far today Trey Hopkins as played RG, LT and now center. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) June 14, 2017
From the few minutes I saw of practice: They had Trey Hopkins at RG briefly with the 1s. He opened up a nice hole for Tra Carson
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Trey Hopkins getting some work today at RG. #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) June 14, 2017
He's been at pretty much every spot this offseason.
Dre Kirkpatrick continues to get some work in while recovering from a broken hand, though he’s yet to take part in team drills.
Kirkpatrick is participating in ball drills today - protection on the hand is gradually shrinking. #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) June 14, 2017
Expect the same schedule from Dre Kirkpatrick this week. His hand is healing, but no contact work at all during these three practices
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Sixth-round rookie Brandon Wilson continues to be sidelined by a knee injury. Another rookie sidelined Tuesday was undrafted free agent running back Jarveon Williams.
Brandon Wilson (knee) remains sidelined for the #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) June 14, 2017
Joined by Jarveon Williams today.
Wilson has a been sidelined for offseason workouts, so seeing him likely miss all of minicamp isn’t a surprise. Even as a sixth-round rookie who the Bengals traded up to get, Wilson is no lock to make the roster, especially if he keeps sitting on the sideline.
The kicking battle rages on with rookie Jake Elliott finally showing a sliver of separation from veteran Randy Bullock.
Brown and Elliott were kicking today. Both made from 38, 51, 42, Brown also missed from 49, while Elliott made his 49-yarder.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
It also sounds like Elliott was getting off his kicks a hair quicker than Bullock.
Get-off times were actually brought up in regards to the kicking at practice today. But I don't have a stopwatch. Paging @nick_underhill
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Someone commented that it seemed as if Brown took longer off the snap to kick the ball vs. Elliott, which is where the discussion came from
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Both kickers had been making virtually everything in offseason workouts thus far, so even one kick that Elliott made and Brown missed could assist in the battle that the rookie should win.
Another rookie vying for a big role on this team is Carl Lawson. The fourth-round pass-rusher out of Auburn has been a beast in these pad-less practices, and today was no different.
Carl Lawson continues to impress. Just blew past Landon Lechler on back to back plays for sacks. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) June 14, 2017
Take this as you will -- Two great plays by Carl Lawson, who would've clobbered McCarron/Driskel, beat Landon Lechler badly.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
As long as Lawson keeps this up in training camp and the preseason, he’ll have a nice role in this defense as a rookie. Off-the-field, the Bengals had a rain break during practice on Tuesday, during which Lawson sang the Auburn fight song. Nearly every member of the defense filmed the rookie singing.
Speaking of the pass rush, the Bengals offered an interesting look today with free safety George Iloka actually blitzing up the middle.
Bengals working on two-minute drill. Iloka just came up the middle completely untouched for what would've been a sack on Dalton
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
Iloka again up the middle between Ogbuehi/Boling. Looked like Peerman missed picking up the blitz. He picked it up on the next play
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 14, 2017
In 67 career NFL games, Iloka has yet to register a sack, so seeing him blitz is a rare sight. It remains to be seen if it will actually be used in game action, though most defenses run safety blitzes for both safeties at some point during a 16-game season.
It helps that Iloka is a physical safety to begin with, so blitzing him a few times per game could certainly help Cincinnati’s pass rush.