The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off day one of training camp on Friday with 1,300 fans in attendance. Here are highlights from the first camp practice of the year as well as videos and images.
Key Notes:
- Giovani Bernard was on the field for day one, making a somewhat shocking appearance on the field, just eight months after tearing his ACL. And, from all accounts, he looked amazing.
- John Ross was participating, though not in one-on-one drills with the defensive backs.
- Tyler Eifert looked great and was a full participant.
- Cody Core, who was injured in minicamp, was fully healthy and participating.
- Jake Kumerow went down with an injury toward the middle of practice and did not return. It didn’t look very serious, but it’s often hard to tell immediately after an injury.
Brandon Thompson, Michael Johnson, Vontaze Burfict and Dre Kirkpatrick walking out to practice together:
Here comes that #Bengals D @WLWT pic.twitter.com/DL8tzXCJEY
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) July 28, 2017
Here are Wallace Gilberry, Marcus Hardison, Josh Tupou and Jeremy Hill:
Gilberry and @JeremyHill33 rolling out #Bengals #WhoDey @WLWT pic.twitter.com/4SZnC7nnTN
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) July 28, 2017
A look at the quarterbacks getting ready for action:
Quarterbacks putting in work at training camp pic.twitter.com/Rk25KERiLq
— Kyle Phelps (@KylePhelps92) July 28, 2017
A look at Joe Mixon!
Mixon pic.twitter.com/rkrTnLYqNn
— Kyle Phelps (@KylePhelps92) July 28, 2017
@Joe_MainMixon pic.twitter.com/v7ieKwvkoP
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 28, 2017
Wide receiver position drills:
Sweet WR drill @WLWT #Bengals pic.twitter.com/zD8b61hcvQ
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) July 28, 2017
Running back drills:
Running backs. Joe Mixon running fourth in line. pic.twitter.com/lQ1hBDize0
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) July 28, 2017
Giooooo!
Gio doing position drills for first time since Nov. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/kqKPLYNTDw
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 28, 2017
So much for easing Giovani Bernard in. Looks like he won't get too many snaps but they're already putting him in team drills today.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
Bernard wasn’t even wearing a knee brace on Friday and everyone seemed impressed, including the guys on NFL Network—Shaun O’Hara and Rhett Lewis—who were reporting live on the scene.
One important observation, Gio Bernard with a couple of impressive jump cuts. Looks great on ACL torn 8 months ago. #Bengals
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 28, 2017
I think one of the biggest things you want to see is confidence from the RB that the knee will hold up. Sure don't see any hesitation.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
Giovani Bernard with the catch and run. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/u7s3MJYWak
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 28, 2017
More John Ross:
First look at first-round pick John Ross. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/jjIgv9Zu50
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 28, 2017
An easy one-handed catch from Ross:
Ross is not taking part in one-on-one drills with the defensive backs as he’s not quite 100 percent recovered from his March shoulder injury...yet. But, it’s positive news just to see him on the field and catching passes.
In 1-on-1 WR vs DB drill, John Ross sits out. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 28, 2017
A.J. Green diving catch is highlight
The NFL Network guys also said they thought Ross was further along and more impressive than they thought he’d be on day one of training camp.
It’s great to see Eifert healthy!
Tyler Eifert wasn't lying when he said he felt 100%. Practically decleated Clayton Fejedelem with a nice double move in 1x1 drills
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
A.J. Green being A.J. Green.
AJ Green diving for passes on the first day of practice #Bengals pic.twitter.com/d8abbvzhTU
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) July 28, 2017
A.J. Green also had a great diving catch in those drills. Coaches would probably prefer he didn't do that, but Marvin Lewis cracked a smile
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
Jake Kumerow, training camp favorite, was at it again.
Jake Kumerow has the coaches' attention, but is that going to be enough to finally make the roster? pic.twitter.com/kzHZEKlSc3
— Kyle Phelps (@KylePhelps92) July 28, 2017
My guy Jake Kumerow providing the first "ooooh" of the day. KUMEROW!!!
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) July 28, 2017
Unfortunately, he was injured during the practice.
After catching a TD over WJ3, Jake Kumerow looks done for the day. He limped off the field following a run play and they took his helmet.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) July 28, 2017
Jake Kumerow just went down in11 on 11. Hobbled off. Frustrated and moving to sideline with trainer right now.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 28, 2017
Another slightly negative update is regarding Alex Redmond, who had back-to-back false starts.
Not a good start for undrafted guard Alex Redmond, who false starts on back-to-back plays. Replaced. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 28, 2017
Rookie wide receiver Karel Hamilton catches a pass while being covered by William Jackson III:
CFA Karel Hamilton vs William Jackson. I used to cut like that too, just ask @CoachAjCohen. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/rIb5UJhKS5
— aly cohen (@alyco32) July 28, 2017
Adam Jones also was coaching up Jackson on the sidelines. Jackson had an interception on Andy Dalton late on Friday, which was the only pick of the day. Of note: the NFL Network guys said Dalton had a great and “sharp” day.
And in a play I wish I filmed, William Jackson picks off Andy Dalton on a pass intended for Cody Core. Jackson came close a few times today
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
William Jackson III has flashed multiple times today. Just picked 6 Dalton on an out route. His acceleration out of his break is legit.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 28, 2017
Kick returners on the first day of camp are Adam Jones, Tyler Boyd, Giovani Bernard, Karel Hamilton and John Ross. That’s an interesting group, especially with Bernard in the mix as he’s gotten a chance every year but has yet to earn a role on special teams as a return man. Also of note is that Alex Erickson is not mentioned here...
Bengals working on kick returns. Back deep: Adam Jones, Giovani Bernard, John Ross, Tyler Boyd, Karel Hamilton
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
Here’s some good news on Cody Core, who was injured on the final day of Bengals rookie minicamp, but is now healthy and fully participating in training camp.
If anyone was wondering, Cody Core shows no ill effects from being carted off in minicamp in June
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
It sounds like other than the Kumerow injury, it was a great day in Cincinnati.
Tyler Eifert just made a one-handed catch down the sideline on a short pass from Dalton
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2017
Football is back!