Bengals News (8/22): Andy Dalton isn’t worried about expectations

Lawson Vows He's Faster And Better On Eve of '19 Debut
The Bengals run out all their available starters for the first and last time in the preseason at Paul Brown Stadium (7 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) against the Giants and Lawson, their prized pass rusher, steps on the turf for the first time since he tore his ACL on that invisible play against Tampa back on the last Sunday in October. The play was blown dead, but Lawson never dies and when he tried to hold up, well, it was non-contact and bad.

Gameday Info: Giants at Bengals
The Jungle Zone is home to the Bengals’ pregame tailgate party. Located on the east plaza level of Paul Brown Stadium, the Jungle Zone features food, drinks, giveaways and family-friendly activities including inflatables and face painting. The Jungle Zone will open at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Westerman Taken Off Exempt/Left Squad List
G Christian Westerman has returned to the team, and the Bengals have removed him from the Exempt/Left Squad list.

The positions battles to watch in Giants-Bengals game
Running backs Paul Perkins and Rod Smith are vying for one roster spot and are staging a competitive battle this summer. Perkins lost a fumble in the first game, Smith lost one in the second game. There is not much separating these young-ish veterans.

BENGALS BREAKDOWN: Team using makeshift offensive line
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Local 12 sports anchor Gary Miller and Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham discussed Thursday's preseason game between the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals. The game can be seen at 7 p.m. on Local 12.

Bengals' Andy Dalton brushing off pressure entering pivotal season
Dalton, who will be 32 in October, is entering the final two years of a contract extension worth up to $115 million he signed in 2014. Dead money is no longer attached to the deal, meaning the Bengals could cut him at any time and not take a salary-cap hit.

Around the league

Cardinals agree with Michael Crabtree on one-year deal
Crabtree will join a receiving corps led by veteran Larry Fitzgerald and filled out by a slew of youngsters, including Christian Kirk, KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler. Arizona released former first-round wideout Kevin White earlier on Wednesday.

Nagy defends Bears' kicker competition amid criticism
With few holes to poke on Chicago's roster, much of the coverage around Bears camp this spring and summer has revolved around the kicker competition. That discourse quieted this week after the Bears cut Elliott Fry, essentially ceding the starting kicker job to Eddy Pineiro for the time being.

Shazier: Bush will 'be a big-time player' for Steelers
When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to select Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 draft, the linebacker was thought to be the second coming of Ryan Shazier, the final piece of the puzzle that has been Pittsburgh's spotty defense.

Cardinals cut former first-round WR Kevin White
Oft injured and rarely productive, White joined the Cardinals this offseason after spending his first four years with the Chicago Bears, who took him seventh overall in the 2015 draft out of West Virginia.

Carroll: No concern Metcalf 'won't get back soon'
Metcalf, who suffered a knee injury last week, underwent surgery on Tuesday and, on Wednesday, Carroll told the media, "We don't have any concern he won't get back soon," he said via the team.