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The Bengals saw a big name return to practice on Wednesday. A.J. Green made his return, and we have all the videos and pictures to commemorate the occasion. It wasn’t all good news, though. We got word on why another big name has been missing practice and another gave us a pretty big injury scare.
Jessie Bates and Darius Phillips talk rising up to the occasion
Bates is one of the Bengals’ brightest young defenders. He has started every season after being drafted in 2018. He has been a rock in the secondary, and is one of the few returning faces from 2019. He talked about how the coaches challenging has helped light a fire under him, and how different the expectations are for this defense in 2020.
DB's Bates and Phillips wishing nothing but thoughts and prayers to teammate Mackensie Alexander during this tough time with his father #Bengals pic.twitter.com/hOE1u99wCJ
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) August 26, 2020
Jessie Bates on Lamar Jackson's highlight TD against the Bengals in 2019: "He's a hell of a football player, but that won't happen again this year." pic.twitter.com/iNfhRNkcal
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Jessie Bates: first part of 2019 I didn’t play as well. 2nd half all the coaches challenged me to be the player I wanted to become. Hopefully I can keep that mindset throughout the whole year.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 26, 2020
Jessie Bates with an INT off Jake Dolegala
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Jessie Bates just picked off Jake Dolegala in 11-on-11. Dolegala is having a rough day with the second unit. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) August 26, 2020
Phillips on the other hand is competing for a starting spot after Trae Waynes went down with an injury and will likely miss most of the season. Phillips ended 2019 by creating a ton of turnovers that the defense was just struggling to do before him hitting the field. Him talking about how the game is slowing down is an incredibly positive sign for his future.
Darius Phillips said he needs to show more consistency, makes sure he knows the defense and plays with confidence as he competes for a starting position this year.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Darius Phillips enjoys going up against Auden Tate and Tyler Boyd during practice. Said he keeps a tally with Boyd - thinks he's up 4-3 so far through camp.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Darius Phillips feels more comfortable entering the second year in the same defense, and indicated that things have slowed down for him.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said he feels comfortable with Darius Phillips as the slot CB or at outside CB.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Of course both players talked about how good rookie quarterback Joe Burrow has been, and their perspective is interesting as the guys who are trying to actually stop him.
Jessie Bates said Joe Burrow is able to move the free safety around a lot more than other vet QBs in the league and going through his progressions well.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
"He's going to be the face of this franchise for many years to come." - Jessie Bates on Joe Burrow
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Darius Phillips on Joe Burrow: he is smart and surprised me. Just to see how he has handled himself. He’s definitely going to be good.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 26, 2020
Bengals DB Jessie Bates on QB Joe Burrow: "You can just feel his presence in the room. He has that swagger about himself."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Green returns to practice
Green’s absence appeared to just be cautionary. On his return we saw the player that Cincinnati has become accustomed to expecting Green to be over his time with the team. Just take a look at him in individual drills.
AJ Green just trotted on to the practice field wearing shoulder pads and carrying his helmet #Bengals
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 26, 2020
AJ Green getting reps with WR group. pic.twitter.com/QqO62LHRhh
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 26, 2020
A.J. Green is back at practice today.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Also that Auden Tate one hander ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Y2bdW0vuuF
.@ajgreen_18 days until kickoff pic.twitter.com/vBSalqWKYu
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 26, 2020
Hottest training camp day this summer BUT @ajgreen_18 is out here bringing it in with one hand #Bengals @WLWT pic.twitter.com/KrOnAYf2nR
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) August 26, 2020
That’s probably it for AJ today and he looked great in individuals. Just tell him we’ll meet you in the parking lot on the 13th. He certainly looks ready to go.
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 26, 2020
Updates on players missing practice
It has been a little while since we have seen players like Joe Mixon and Carlos Dunlap out on the field, and Mixon has been rumored to have a minor injury. On a lighter note, Michael Jordan was excused from practice after the birth of his child.
#Bengals not practicing today for various reasons include: Geno Atkins, Mackensie Alexander, Joe Mixon, Michael Jordan and Ryan Finley.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Geno Atkins will not practice today due to personal reasons. #Bengals
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
#Bengals CB Mackensie Alexander’s hearing is done and he is out of custody after being granted pre-trial release and posting $2,000 bond.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) August 26, 2020
Bengals practice update on who is out today https://t.co/uFhInM26fm
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
No sign of Joe Mixon our here today. Not with the RBs, not on the side rehab field. Was told by the team on Monday he had a “minor” injury.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 26, 2020
With Michael Jordan out today Xavier Su’a-Filo slides over to LG with Fred Johnson moving into RG with the first team offensive line.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) August 26, 2020
Carlos Dunlap isn’t working with the team for a second straight practice. pic.twitter.com/MjKYYUDu6S
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 26, 2020
Great to see Jordan Evans working out on the rehab field a couple of days after being carted off with a hamstring injury pic.twitter.com/QE61pqIYVN
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 26, 2020
Jake Dolegala getting the QB2 reps with Ryan Finley out.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Fred Johnson at RG again today with the first team
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
New signee Frederick Mauigoa is at RG with the 2s. Billy Price at C.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
John Ross’ injury scare
It appears that Ross recovered well from the injury, but it was still a scary few moments for fans and the wide receiver. After falling on his arm awkwardly, he had it checked out by staff. After adding a sleeve to arm, he returned to the field. Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road for the wide receiver entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Tyler Boyd, Auden Tate and John Ross are the starting WRs in 11-on-11. A.J. Green (hamstring) is limited today. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) August 26, 2020
John Ross being looked at by trainers after he comes down awkwardly trying to get a ball.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Somewhere on his left shoulder/arm/wrist. Too tough to tell from this far away.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) August 26, 2020
He did not immediately go back in.
Seems like a good sign that he picks up that towel with his left hand
— Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) August 26, 2020
Ross had a more extended conversation and look from team trainers. Then he goes back over to watch from the sideline. Not going in to locker room, though, which is a good sign.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 26, 2020
John Ross is back and makes a catch in 11v11.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Everyone can take a breath.
Ross back in. Makes a catch. Still holding arm oddly.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) August 26, 2020
John Ross has a sleeve on that left arm. He’s going back in for 11-on-11. pic.twitter.com/oywJzf3T07
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 26, 2020
Obligatory Burrow updates
Here are some of the more notable updates we got via twitter about Burrow’s performance at Wednesday’s practice. A solid effort overall.
Joe Burrow went 13-of-19 in team 11-on-11 drills. Had a rocky start but finished the day 7-of-8. Not his sharpest camp day.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020
Joe Burrow threw this one a tad behind Tee Higgins, who still had a shot at it. It fell incomplete #Bengals pic.twitter.com/DdOL5PTuK1
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 26, 2020
Joe Burrow does a nice job of stepping up in the pocket, evading the rush and finding Mike Thomas over the middle. His best ball today, IMO.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2020