With the Bengals gearing up for their third preseason game vs. the Bills, several key players are making their return to practice.
Unfortunately, that does not include Vontaze Burfict and Vincent Rey, who were among a handful of players sitting out Wednesday.
Not practicing for #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) August 22, 2018
Core
Shelton
Harris
Beverette
Burfict
Rey
TJ Johnson
Helms
Baker
Vinny Rey on rehab field. Burfict not out here at all. Tony McRae practicing for first time since hurting ankle early in camp. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) August 22, 2018
Seeing Burfict continue to be a no-show for practice isn’t a good sign after he suffered an ankle injury during last Monday’s practice. He’s already suspended for the first four games, so if this injury will keep him out for an extended amount of time, he’s still got plenty of time before he's eligible to play again.
As for Rey, seeing him on the rehab field is a good sign that he’s close to returning from his ankle injury, which he suffered in the first preseason game.
T.J. Johnson is a new addition to the injury report. He played in Saturday’s preseason win over Dallas, though he didn’t get in the game until the fourth quarter and even struggled then. He’s firmly on the roster bubble and may be on the outside looking in, especially now that Trey Hopkins is getting snaps at center.
Davontae Harris is battling a knee injury suffered in Dallas, and it’s unclear how long it will keep him out. He was already struggling to stand out and is in real danger of being waived during final cuts, despite being a fifth-round pick this year.
The Bengals did get some good news Wednesday with the return of Tony McRae and Andrew Brown.
Good news for Bengals: CB Tony McRae back at practice along with rookie DL Andrew Brown.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 22, 2018
Brown was also a fifth-round pick this year, but he’s missed much of the last month with a hamstring injury. He needs to have a big performance over the final two preseason games to secure a roster spot.
The same is true of McCrae, who also missed much of the last month with a leg injury. He’s fighting Harris and KeiVarae Russell for one of the final cornerback spots.
Cody Core continues to miss practice with an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to make the 53-man roster. He’s been out for over a week now and has been surpassed by rookie Auden Tate as the sixth and likely final receiver to make the roster.
It’s unclear why veteran defensive tackle Chris Baker is sitting out. He played Saturday in Dallas and is not assured of making the final roster. That final defensive tackle spot could come down to Baker vs. Brown.