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The Cincinnati Bengals put on shoulder pads on Sunday for their third training camp practice of the 2017 offseason. In front of 2,200 fans in the summer sun, the day was filled with both positive and negative news.
Unfortunately, injuries were a big focus on Sunday.
It seems there was more to Michael Johnson and Wallace Gilberry’s veteran’s rest day on Saturday than originally met the eye. Johnson was not in shoulder pads with his teammates on Sunday. Meanwhile, Gilberry was in shoulder pads but was on the rehab field instead of practice fields.
#Bengals DE Michael Johnson not in pads today, but Wallace Gilberry is suited up. They were on the side field yesterday.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) July 30, 2017
Gilberry in pads, but also headed to the side field for the second straight day for the #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) July 30, 2017
On top of that, both starting safety George Iloka and backup safety Derron Smith suffered injuries on Sunday. Iloka’s was to his knee and though it appeared serious at first, he was able to walk on his own and sat on the sidelines with ice on his knee following the injury.
Then, moments later, Smith suffered what appeared to be a right foot injury and had to be carted off the field. With practice wrapping up, Iloka took the cart into the stadium with his position mate. Injuries are an unfortunate part of training camp, but seeing both safeties go down within minutes of each other was far from ideal.
On a positive note, we can get behind this sentiment! Regular-season football is just a few weeks away!
82 degrees, partly cloudy, and that feeling of 1 less Sunday without football #bengalstraingcamp2017 pic.twitter.com/zNA8Qo0iw1
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
A welcomed sight!
#Bengals in shoulder pads and shorts today. Should be full pads Monday. pic.twitter.com/BzMhDJCQ86
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
Wide receiver drills:
At age 50, snapping hips is something I try to avoid#Bengals pic.twitter.com/RxLDmWwlF4
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
Xavier basketball coach Chris Mack was in attendance at Sunday’s practice with his family.
@CoachChrisMack and family here on day three of #Bengals Training Camp @WLWT pic.twitter.com/la5kEN01n8
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) July 30, 2017
Brandon LaFell in action:
Let's see if you guys notice a difference. Here's LaFell: pic.twitter.com/4STmc304LL
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 30, 2017
And Tyler Boyd:
Here's Boyd: pic.twitter.com/PyMRe2uNmS
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 30, 2017
Some John Ross for you:
Another John Ross route #Bengals pic.twitter.com/Vqmw1Nemrg
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 30, 2017
Geno Atkins down for the count. Yeahp, the pads are on!
A little thudding going with #Bengals in pads for first time in camp. @Local12 pic.twitter.com/QXQRv6C5iB
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) July 30, 2017
More fun in pads:
First contact drill is half line. Pads popping. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/WHXVJfpB57
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
Some nine-on-nine action:
Vontaze Burfict sticking his nose in during a 9 on 9 drill in #Bengals camp. @Local12 pic.twitter.com/x45RPevLSX
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) July 30, 2017
Vontaze Burfict got a talking to after hitting Giovani Bernard, who participated in his third straight practice after returning from ACL surgery.
Marvin has chat with Burfict after he threw shoulder into Gio on 2nd play of 11s. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
Lewis also spoke to Jake Fisher, the anticipated starting right tackle, about being on his butt too often.
A few plays later, Lewis yells at Fisher: "74, you're on the ground an awful lot."#Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) July 30, 2017
After playing right tackle with the second team offense on Saturday, Andre Smith was back to work at right guard on Sunday.
Andre Smith is playing RT with the 1st team today #bengalstraingcamp2017
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
Meanwhile, Trey Hopkins who practiced at right guard with the first team offense on Saturday was at the same position with the second team offense on Sunday. It seems he’s the top candidate to battle Smith for the starting right guard spot. And, if Hopkins wins, Smith will likely serve as a backup tackle/guard.
Andre Smith has played RG for the 1st team, Trey Hopkins is playing RG on the 2nd team #bengalstraingcamp2017
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
Jake Elliott missed one kick on Sunday, his first time kicking in front of Bengals fans. Though, the miss came as a distraction was set in place. Today’s kicks came from 28, 38, 33 (two times) and 35-yards out. Elliott missed on one of the 33-yarders.
Kicking competition:
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
Jake Elliott: 4/5
Randy Bullock: 5/5#bengalstraingcamp2017
Elliott miss came when they blew whistle early as distraction technique. FWIW.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2017
Last year, third string quarterback Jeff Driskel was activated for one game as a backup special teamer. Interestingly, he was practicing with the punting unit on Sunday.
Backup QB Jeff Driskell on the punting team #bengalstraingcamp2017
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
With Iloka off-the-field and even before Smith’s injury, backup safety Clayton Fejedelem and defensive back Josh Shaw got play at safety. It seems the team is interested in using Shaw as both a cornerback and safety this year, which is what he did last year, too. When Multiple safeties were injured in 2016, Shaw filled in admirably at safety in addition to holding down the starting slot cornerback role for most of the season.
Clayton Fejedelem and Josh Shaw are at safety for @George_iloka
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
It’s not easy for anyone to go up against A.J. Green...
Benwikere was matched up against @ajgreen_18 in the slot for the first team defense...then Green scored at TD
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
Bene Benwikere got an interception on AJ McCarron shortly after that play against Green.
Benwikere made up for it by intercepting McCarron the next play #bengalstraingcamp2017 https://t.co/NFbl7xWfWz
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) July 30, 2017
Cedric Ogbuehi vs Carl Lawson:
Cedric Ogbuehi two one-on-one reps against rookie Carl Lawson. Looks like one loss, one win to me.#Bengals pic.twitter.com/CJ3fgG6ul4
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 30, 2017
Lewis was full of spirit on Sunday.
Marvin's first quasi blow up of camp comes on day three: "Get back in the huddle defense and do it right. Bunch of rag tag s***." #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 30, 2017
The Bengals practice again on Monday at 3:00 p.m. ET in front of fans at the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium. Tuesday’s practice is for season ticket holders only and Wednesday is an off day for the team.