The Cincinnati Bengals were in full pads for the third to last open-to-the-public training camp session of the summer on Monday. This, after having a day off on Sunday following Saturday’s team scrimmage at Family Day.
The big story of the day was tight end C.J. Uzomah injuring his lower leg during the middle of practice and getting carted off-the-field. That’s terrible news for the third year tight end, but now we wait to find out how serious the injury truly is.
After missing a few days of practice in the last week, offensive lineman T.J. Johnson is back in action, which is good news for him as Trey Hopkins is coming after his job as the No. 1 lineman off the bench, including being a backup at center.
#Bengals OL T.J. suited up today.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 7, 2017
On the flip side, fellow backup center J.J. Dielman was not dressed for practice.
#Bengals rookie center J.J. Dielman also in shorts & a T-shirt today.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 7, 2017
Jordan Willis also did not participate in practice; it’s unknown if/when he experienced an injury to cause that.
#Bengals rookie Jordan Willis not dressed today.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 7, 2017
Also not practicing were George Iloka (knee), Brandon Wilson (knee), Jake Kumerow (ankle), Cedric Peerman (hamstring), Tony McRae (undisclosed) and P.J. Dawson (arm).
Another rookie, O-lineman J.J. Dielman not working, along w/ usuals Iloka, Wilson, Kumerow, Peerman, McRae, Dawson#Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 7, 2017
Fresh off his trip to Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony this weekend, Anthony Munoz was at Bengals training camp on Monday.
HALL or Famer Anthony Munoz chatting with Marvin Lewis ahead of #Bengals practice pic.twitter.com/cQouVl3fYS
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 7, 2017
Additionally, former Bengals Takeo Spikes and Solomon Wilcots were at practice on behalf of SiriusXM NFL Radio. Both Spikes and Wilcots made the Bengals First 50 list and will be honored at a home game this year.
Former #Bengals Takeo Spikes, Solomon Wilcots chatting with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/38CosHTa4Z
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 7, 2017
Two members of the #Bengals "First 50"...Dave Lapham and @TakeoSpikes51 pic.twitter.com/qSCFukZfFT
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 7, 2017
Uhhhh.... why?
Ok, if you're wearing a Steelers jersey to #Bengals training camp?? Let's get real. @Local12 pic.twitter.com/pJlb9fMRL0
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 7, 2017
The team opened practice with some special teams work.
William Jackson, Josh Shaw, V. Rey, Carl Lawson, Will Clarke, Fejedelem to name a few getting practice on punt return unit #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
There’s nothing wrong with being in a good mood!
#Bengals CB Adam Jones in a great mood before practice today. Went around and talked to everyone in stretch lines. Singing to Kendrick.
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 7, 2017
Positive offensive line Tweet:
If really like what I've seen from Jake Fisher #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Wide receiver action:
John Ross going through a drill. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/66mQHT8Iiz
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 7, 2017
More John Ross:
John Ross again pic.twitter.com/pCUOubexSp
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 7, 2017
Another positive offensive line Tweet:
Eric Winston still churning, you can tell he's a veteran with all these young pups. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Tyler Boyd putting in work:
Boyd running the same route pic.twitter.com/ffmGDnuUBO
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 7, 2017
Josh Malone has been getting a bunch of praise in recent practices for things like this:
Malone makes a juggling one-handed catch over in the wide receiver drills. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
This isn’t great to hear about William Jackson, but it sure is good for Boyd.
Tyler Boyd absolutely loses William Jackson on a route for the catch. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
William Jackson has been hit-and-miss in camp so far, but he has great size and ability. Just may take a season or two. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
The Bengals have been experimenting with some strange defensive line looks.
Interesting D-Line look front left to right: Dunlap, Gillberry, Johnson, Lawson. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Alex Erickson has been doing well as a pass-catcher in recent days.
Erickson loses Shaw very early in his route for the catch. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
This kind of stuff is what makes training camp great... well, part of what makes camp great.
Brandon LaFell making friends at practice, playing catch with some youngsters between reps. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 7, 2017
Get excited about Joe Mixon!
Joe Mixon just made a Le'Veon Bell-like change of direction move in the middle of the field. Wow. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Joe Mixon is really, really good. #Bengals
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 7, 2017
Katherine ain't lyin. Joe Mixon continues to make plays. https://t.co/ftUKfj6AWd
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 7, 2017
Sound the alarm, that’s a third positive offensive line Tweet and it relates to Cedric Ogbuehi:
Ogbuehi handles Lawson on first pass rush of team. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
It’s good that Jackson is in position to make an interception, but he can’t keep dropping them...
William Jackson drops his second interception of the day. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
He did get his hands on a ball to break up a pass later on... Also of note here is Mixon being used in the pass game. That was the case during Saturday’s practice, too, during which he scored a touchdown on a pass from Andy Dalton.
Jackson on the pass breakup against Mixon. It's been a busy day for him. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Will Jackson, Darqueze Dennard sniffing that starting job in opener. Both showing well in practice today. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 7, 2017
Jackson with great coverage on Malone. Malone has looked fantastic, but I'm still curious about his ability to separate. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Boom Williams was among those working on kickoff returns on Monday.
Boom returning kickoffs. #BBN #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
And he (Boom) looks impressive doing it. #BBN #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
What’s that? A fourth positive offensive line Tweet, all in one day?!
Fisher stifles Dunlap on pass rush. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
It’s going to be hard for wide receiver Alonzo Russell to find a spot on the Bengals’ 53-man roster anytime soon, but he may be snatched up by another team if he does well in the preseason.
Alonzo Russell has looked really good today, and has throughout camp. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Or even a Canadian team...
The #Bengals are poutine on a show for scouts from the Canadian Football League today. @Local12 pic.twitter.com/StY6zAqDAH
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 7, 2017
After the Uzomah news, it’s good to hear that Tyler Kroft made a good play in practice.
Kroft with maybe the catch of the day. Back of the endzone, two feet down with a man on him. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
And that Tyler Eifert is hitting pay dirt, too.
Dalton hits Eifert in end zone for a TD. Andy then makes a hoop with his arms and Tyler shoots it. Swish. We are having fun here. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/QgcxPAybIN
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 7, 2017
There isn’t much talk of linebackers during camp, so this is good news:
Kevin Minter had a great tackle on the goal line. Joe Mixon cut back and was about a yard short of the end zone
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 7, 2017
Jake Elliott was three for three on field goals on Monday, which is encouraging after he missed a 52-yard field goal and a PAT on Saturday during the team’s live scrimmage.
Jake Elliot kicks field goal over hedges. He's looked calm, collected in camp. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
3-for-3, this one on from longer distance. #Bengals #NFL
— J. Angelo Carriero (@AngeloCarriero8) August 7, 2017
Next Up: The Bengals have their final two open-to-the-public training camp practices on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. ET (gates open at 2:30 p.m. ET) and Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. ET (gates open at 2:45 p.m. ET).