Bengals Bytes (8/22): Safety Committee

DC Guenther says it may be committee approach to replace Shawn Williams
The Bengals were so thin at safety late in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City that linebacker Marquis Flowers found himself playing the position for a few plays, and while he isn't in the mix to replace injured Shawn Williams when the regular season begins it may not be just one player who steps into Williams' spot on a regular basis, according to defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

Bengals mid-preseason 53-man roster projection
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - After a seven-part series detailing each position group for the Bengals heading into training camp, which begins on July 28, here is a projected look at the 53-player roster when it's finalized on Sept. 2.

Simmons: both kickers will be in the NFL this season
With two pre-season games left and less than three weeks before the Sept. 10 opener against Baltimore, Darrin Simmons’ kicking competition between veteran Randy Bullock and rookie Jake Elliott is right where it started three months ago. Just about even.

Bengals Hope They've Added Closer In Smith
Recently while grabbing a bite to eat at his neighborhood Wendy’s, Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther took a photo of a sign that said that the restaurant was “looking for closers.” He showed it to his defensive lineman and told them that he’s looking for closers too. Not late night fast food workers in his case, but pass rushers that can end a drive or help put away a game. He might have found one in Chris Smith.

Andy Dalton Hosts ‘King for a Day’ Program at Kings Island
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, hosted 40 families for the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation’s “King for a Day” community outreach program at Kings Island on Sunday. “Spending a summer day at Kings Island is a tradition for many Cincinnati families, and we’re thrilled to give that experience to these kids,” said Andy Dalton. “Jordan and I love spending time with these kids and getting to know their families. To provide such a fun day for them is always a treat for us.”

Next safety up
With the Bengals hoping to get starting safety Shawn Williams (dislocated elbow) back for the Sept. 24 game in Green Bay or the Oct. 1 game in Cleveland, it looks like they’ll try to coax the roster through the first couple of games with special teams ace Clayton Fejedelem and slot corner swingman Josh Shaw in the bullpen manning the spot opposite George Iloka.

Cincinnati Bengals players check out solar eclipse from stadium
The Bengals didn't practice on Monday, but they did take some time away from meetings for a team bonding activity. Cincinnati experienced a partial solar eclipse around 2:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, right after the Bengals had concluded some of their meetings. So the team went outside and checked out the phenomenon from Paul Brown Stadium.

Broncos claim former Bengals RB Stanley Williams
A rookie undrafted free agent out of Kentucky, Williams was released by the Bengals on Sunday after participating in their offseason program and training camp. Nicknamed "Boom," Williams appeared in the Bengals' first two preseason contests, totaling 11 yards on four carries. He rushed for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns for the Wildcats last season, and logged the fastest 20-yard shuttle time among RBs at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Walkthru: Three eclipsed Bengals
We here at The Walkthru don’t like to be left out of pop culture conversations. So, while everyone spends today talking about the solar eclipse this afternoon – in case you hadn’t heard yet, don’t stare at it! – we don’t want to be left out. And with two preseason games in the books the roster is taking shape and we are seeing player movement on the hypothetical depth chart. The real depth chart won’t be altered publicly until final cuts, sorry.

AFC North Bytes

Several Browns players kneel together during anthem
A group of nearly a dozen Browns players knelt in a huddle together or placed their arm on a player kneeling during the national anthem Monday night. Several photos of the Cleveland sideline showed receiver Kenny Britt, linebacker Jamie Collins, running back Duke Johnson, cornerback Najee Murray, wideout Ricardo Louis and tight end Seth DeValve among others with one knee on the ground.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know
Joe Flacco must be more consistent than he was a year ago. His rifle arm will yield a handful of Wow! throws each week, and some of those throws will result in big plays. But the Ravens learned last season that they can’t subsist only on this. They aspire to be a quick-strike passing offense. Flacco must rediscover his disciplined mechanics and decision-making.

Browns beat Giants, 10-6 as Odell Beckham survives hit
An aggressive Browns defense headlined the on-field action Monday night in a 10-6 win over the visiting New York Giants, though the rest of the league was watching one player on the opposite sideline. Here's what we learned on Monday night...

Bo Smith Says He Won't Train or Be Associated with Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown will have to look for a new personal trainer after Bo Smith cut ties with the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver. Smith called Brown "bad business," via Steven Taranto of 247Sports. "I had to walk away and remove myself from the bulls--t!" Smith wrote on his Instagram account, per TMZ Sports. "Be a MAN of your WORD and own up to your WRONGS as a MAN should, Communication is KEY! ...I've learned to walk away from anything or anyone that THREATENS my PEACE of MIND, SELF-RESPECT, VALUES, MORALS or SELF WORTH."

Random Bytes

Donald Penn Reportedly Will End Raiders Holdout as Early as Tuesday
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Donald Penn is reportedly expected back at practice as early as Tuesday. Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the news Monday, citing league sources who said Penn is expected to end a holdout that has lasted 25 days. He missed the entirety of the team's training camp in Napa, California, in an effort to bolster his 2017 salary of $5.95 million.

Odell Beckham suffers sprained ankle, x-rays negative
Giants wideout Odell Beckham left Monday night's game after taking a hard shot directly to his left knee, but did not sustain any serious injuries. The team's top offensive weapon was drilled by Browns corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun as he came down from nabbing a high pass in the second quarter. Beckham spun his helmet in frustration but walked off the field under his own power. After trotting into the tunnel en route to the locker room, a television camera caught Beckham on his knees rocking back and forth in pain.