Cincy Jungle - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts: NFL Preseason Week 4Who Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2019-08-31T09:00:00-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/206020372019-08-31T09:00:00-04:002019-08-31T09:00:00-04:00Bengals preseason Week 4 rookie report: Jake Dolegala, Ventell Bryant make their final cases
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<img alt="Indianapolis Colts v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g8JSihTRuI5W-I331I1dTg-m6DM=/0x0:4641x3094/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65148652/1171012445.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Dolegala and Bryant conclude impressive preseason performances, while our worst fears for Rodney Anderson came true.</p> <p id="YBv2o7">It took about 15 hours following the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ 13-6 loss to the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> on Thursday night for the Bengals to fire off their <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/30/20841060/bengals-roster-cuts-2019-christian-westerman-kirk-barron">first round of cuts on Friday</a>. Of the 11 players waived, seven of them were rookies.</p>
<p id="E6ZAZb">Pour one out for these guys:</p>
<ul>
<li id="gMH1SK">LB <span>Curtis Akins</span>
</li>
<li id="zZQeSy">C <span>Kirk Barron</span>
</li>
<li id="bnT6CK">LS <span>Dan Godsil</span>
</li>
<li id="s0uUop">DT <span>Dare Odeyingbo</span>
</li>
<li id="8VnyZZ">LB <span>Sterling Sheffield</span>
</li>
<li id="OEaHxM">DE <span>Immanuel Turner</span>
</li>
<li id="rraN2d">K <span>Tristan Vizcaino</span>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="xiNSDZ">None of these guys had a shot at making the final roster, but it’s still shocking to see Godsil, the backup long snapper, cut after he recovered two fumbles on Thursday.</p>
<p id="0GQDhm">Just kidding.</p>
<p id="O8SxgW">The Bengals still need to waive 27 more players to get to 53, and the majority of them will be rookies as well. We’re only concerned with those that will make the team or should be called back for the practice squad. </p>
<p id="Ipd9wF">The early draft picks that will make the roster didn’t play that much, if at all. Tight end <span>Drew Sample</span> and linebacker <span>Germaine Pratt</span> played a combined 37 snaps, including a combined 14 special teams snaps. We’ve seen enough of what they bring to the table, and both should be solid rotational players early on in the season.</p>
<p id="TC8sAK">Defensive tackle <span>Renell Wren</span> once again eclipsed 30 snaps played and did next to nothing with them. He’s essentially a lock to be inactive on game days, especially if <span>Josh Tupou</span> makes the roster. <span>Michael Jordan</span>, now a starter, obviously didn’t play at all. </p>
<p id="dOdY1M">As for the rest that did play, here’s a quick recap.</p>
<h2 id="TCQNH7">The <span>Jake Dolegala</span> and <span>Ventell Bryant</span> connection is real</h2>
<p id="LQqeDy">It’s been a fun offseason for the trio of Bryant, <span>Damion Willis</span> and Stanley Morgan. The three undrafted rookies are talented enough to play on Sundays, but not all three will make the final roster. Willis and Morgan didn’t play as the former is going to start for <span>A.J. Green</span> to begin the regular season and the latter has been hurt for two weeks now. </p>
<p id="TyDRKA">Bryant, on the other hand, led the team in receiving against the Colts. His rapport with Jake Dolegala was on full display as the duo connected nine times for 83 yards on 13 targets.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/I9UOP3iUAy">pic.twitter.com/I9UOP3iUAy</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1167569162710986752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="ZkNKYx">Much of Dolegala’s success this preseason has been from targeting Bryant. It’s clear these two have established a great connection in training camp and its translated onto the field nicely. Both players started as absolute long shots to make the final roster, and now there’s a legit conversation to keep both of them.</p>
<p id="cQXO5v">Will that happen? Probably not. Bryant essentially has to beat out both <span>Josh Malone</span> and <span>Cody Core</span>, which isn’t impossible but also unlikely. Dolegala isn’t taking <span>Ryan Finley</span>’s spot as <span>Andy Dalton</span>’s backup, so the only way he stays is if Zac Taylor and his staff want to keep three quarterbacks. Possible, but again, not probable.</p>
<p id="N1EBtC">If both are waived, I’d be absolutely shocked if they weren’t both brought back on the practice squad. Keeping these two together throughout the year is in their best interest.</p>
<h2 id="7d0R6X">See you in 2020, <span>Rodney Anderson</span>
</h2>
<p id="xhriv0">Not again. Why must you be so cruel, injury gods?</p>
<p id="dzOEn5">After Anderson fumbled a fourth-and-two carry on the offense’s second series of the game, the Bengals sent the rookie back on the field five minutes later. Anderson carried the ball for four yards and went to ground awkwardly as about four Colts tackled him. Immediately grabbing at the infamous right knee he injured a year ago, Anderson hobbled off the field. His night was over, as was his season.</p>
<p id="8n6EYz">Anderson re-tore his right ACL, which seemed obviously after watching it happen. This is the fourth season-ending injury Anderson will now suffer through in the last five years, which is absurdly unlucky. The label “injury-prone” is an unfair one for many reasons, but the Bengals knew the risk when playing a recently-recovered Anderson too much behind an awful offensive line in a meaningless game, and they will now suffer the consequences.</p>
<p id="altHiR">The next stop for Anderson is the Injured Reserve list, so that opens up possibilities with what they can do at the position. Undrafted running back <span>Jordan Ellis</span> figures to have the best chance at replacing him if they still want to roll with four backs, but the practice squad is a safer bet for him.</p>
<h2 id="4qScYv">Others playing for the practice squad</h2>
<p id="G1cXRZ">The offensive line is probably going to have eight players make the final roster, because there is no one who’s good enough to warrant them keeping a ninth. Ideally, the ninth would be a tackle, but the guy who had the best chance of taking that role, <span>O’Shea Dugas</span>, didn’t even play on Thursday.</p>
<p id="VjXX0C"><span>Keaton Sutherland</span> did, and played the best along the offensive line. He started at center and then later moved to left tackle, but the rookie out of Texas A&M plays best inside. Dugas has been the safe bet to make the practice squad, but Sutherland probably deserves a spot more. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/FLndxTzhuW">pic.twitter.com/FLndxTzhuW</a></p>— not kevin durant (@nevkinturand) <a href="https://twitter.com/nevkinturand/status/1167574706544873472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="koqiST">Defensive ends Immanuel Turner and Dare Odeyingbo played 49 and 46 snaps, respectively, which was the second and third most on the defense. Turner was credited with a half-sack and Odeyingbo also got in a quarterback hit. Depending on how many the Bengals keep on the defensive line, one of these guys could find themselves on the practice squad.</p>
<p id="7m7xDe">Linebacker Deshaun Davis is still very much alive for the final roster and led all linebackers in snaps with 46. Five tackles (three were defensive stops) helps his case to kick <span>Hardy Nickerson</span> off of the roster, which is what I expect to happen. <span>Noah Dawkins</span> is the lone undrafted linebacker from this year’s draft class left on the roster, but the practice squad is all he can hope for at this point.</p>
<p id="8biSzL">The cornerback room looks to be set, so <span>Jordan Brown</span> and <span>Anthony Chesley</span> were essentially battling for a practice squad spot. Chesley has played 50 more snaps than Brown, so he might have the edge in that competition. Safety <span>Tyree Kinnel</span> (28 snaps) has also seen his fair share of opportunity, so he’s still in the mix for the practice squad as well. </p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/31/20840652/bengals-preseason-week-4-rookie-report-jake-dolegala-ventell-bryant-make-their-final-casesJohn Sheeran2019-08-30T15:27:31-04:002019-08-30T15:27:31-04:00Bengals RB Rodney Anderson tore ACL vs. Colts
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<img alt="Indianapolis Colts v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9vAg05Vrb-z98IiMhxX7T4DBrgU=/88x0:4329x2827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65145526/1171013328.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Just brutal. </p> <p id="xNfPcL">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> lost their fourth preseason game to the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>, but that’s not all they may’ve lost on their last meaningless outing. </p>
<p id="M6Mdsw">Bengals’ sixth-round running back <span>Rodney Anderson</span> hobbled off the field after what appeared to be a knee injury. The 22-year-old had already struggled to get back onto the field after suffering a torn ACL during his final season at Oklahoma. </p>
<p id="mDKBUZ">As it turns out, Anderson did re-tear the ACL, which will end his rookie season before it ever begins. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed the news Friday afternoon.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zac Taylor confirmed that Rodney Anderson suffered a torn right ACL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a></p>— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTylerDragon/status/1167516742060597250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="mH4bWk">Anderson made his debut with the Bengals in their Week 3 loss against the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. Being given eight carries, the rookie totaled just seven yards. However, while he didn’t produce much this preseason, he was still expected to crack the 53-man roster.</p>
<p id="kCndcD">With Joe Mixon and <span>Giovani Bernard</span> still the team’s clear top-two backs, the Bengals will be more disappointed with the lost potential of Anderson over his actual value to this season’s roster.</p>
<p id="g8t1lL">As for the other running back spots, expect one of Jordan Ellis and Quinton Flowers to make the final roster to go with sixth-round rookie Trayveon Williams. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/30/20840796/bengals-rodney-anderson-injury-oklahoma-football-nfl-coltsNathan Beighle2019-08-30T12:38:15-04:002019-08-30T12:38:15-04:00Bengals believe Rodney Anderson re-tore ACL vs. Colts
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<img alt="New York Giants v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5-x7372ZFg0uvEK_6quu10QwcsE=/0x40:2066x1417/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65139590/1164572784.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Exactly what we didn’t want to hear.</p> <p id="DAelcw"><strong>Update</strong></p>
<p id="Qyg090">NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports that that the Bengals believe Anderson tore his ACL last night. It’s the same ACL that Anderson tore last year at Oklahoma.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> believe rookie RB Rodney Anderson tore his ACL again last night, source said. Awful.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1167467704820875266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="IwHkVg">Anderson will undoubtedly end up on the Injured Reserve list this weekend and will miss all of his rookie season. </p>
<p id="UJIv69">This is the fourth major injury Anderson has suffered in the last five years. To say this is heartbreaking is nothing short of an understatement.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="pNyBoz">
<p id="sKeqgg">Last week was <span>Rodney Anderson</span>’s coming out party. This week, his season may have been shortened significantly.</p>
<p id="00q25e">Anderson left tonight’s game with a right knee injury, and the team has announced he is out for the rest of the night. </p>
<p id="ipuQBX">Geoff Hobson reported that Anderson was able to walk to the locker room without much of a limp. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anderson walked off under his own power without much of a limp to the locker room</p>— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffHobsonCin/status/1167220943166554112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2019</a>
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<p id="WUU4Mx">It should be noted that knee in subject was the same that Anderson injured last year. Anderson missed all of 2018 at Oklahoma with a torn ACL, which is the reason why the Bengals were able to draft him in the sixth round.</p>
<p id="Z890nk">If Anderson misses any time, it’s going to make things real dicey in the Bengals’ backfield, as fellow rookie <span>Trayveon Williams</span> has his own injury that may cost him time in the regular season. That could allow <span>Jordan Ellis</span> or <span>Quinton Flowers</span> to sneak onto the 53-man roster. </p>
<p id="ZCfxia">We’ll update this when more information on this injury becomes available.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/29/20839848/bengals-rodney-anderson-injury-oklahoma-sooners-football-coltsJohn Sheeran2019-08-30T11:52:19-04:002019-08-30T11:52:19-04:00Bengals 53-man roster: Final prediction
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<img alt="New York Giants v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mP5-ZqbQuQHuXVLEUhubUtfR-I0=/19x56:1545x1073/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65143699/1164574180.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Final cuts are coming soon, so we took one more stab at predicting the Bengals’ 53-man roster. </p> <p id="YH3R9x">The preseason is complete, which means the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> are finalizing their 53-man roster for the 2019 season.</p>
<p id="UukCfK">Of course, the roster will change throughout the season as players return from injuries, others go down with their own injury, and better players become available through waivers. </p>
<p id="B35kdz">But for now, we’re focusing on what the 53-man roster will look like for Week 1 vs. the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>. Here is our final projection:</p>
<h3 id="kChQM0">Quarterbacks (2): <span>Andy Dalton</span> and <span>Ryan Finley</span>
</h3>
<p id="hbBy13"><span>Jeff Driskel</span>’s injury proved costly, as he’s missed the last two games and allowed <span>Ryan Finley</span> and <span>Jake Dolegala</span> to shine in his absence. But the Bengals have too many issues at other positions to warrant keeping three quarterbacks, so Driskel gets the boot and Dolegala ends up on the practice squad. </p>
<h3 id="fLW8XU">Running Backs (4): <span><strong>Joe Mixon</strong></span>, <span><strong>Giovani Bernard</strong></span>, <span><strong>Trayveon Williams</strong></span>, <span>Jordan Ellis</span>
</h3>
<p id="QtgURG">This is a sneaky hard position to project with <span>Rodney Anderson</span> and <span>Trayveon Williams</span> both injured. Will the Bengals actually carry both of them on the 53-man roster and rely on Joe Mixon and <span>Giovani Bernard</span> to get all of the touches for the first couple of games?</p>
<p id="4RyEEb">If Anderson’s knee injury is serious, he may end up on IR and pave the way for <span>Jordan Ellis</span> to sneak onto the final roster. <a href="https://www.bengals.com/news/numbers-game-overtakes-weekend">Geoff Hobson thinks Anderson may have re-tore his ACL</a>, so I’m giving <span>Ellis</span> the edge here. </p>
<h3 id="KAb518">Wide Receivers: (7): <span><strong>A.J. Green</strong></span>, <span><strong>Tyler Boyd</strong></span>, <span><strong>John Ross III</strong></span>, <span><strong>Alex Erickson</strong></span>, <span><strong>Auden Tate</strong></span>, <span><strong>Damion Willis</strong></span><strong>, </strong><span><strong>Josh Malone</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="rjPqEF">This is probably the tough decision remaining. <span>Green</span>, <span>Boyd</span>, <span>Ross</span>, <span>Erickson</span> and <span>Willis</span> effectively have their spots secured. That leaves <span>Auden Tate</span>, <span>Josh Malone</span>, <span>Cody Core</span>, <span>Stanley Morgan</span> and <span>Ventell Bryant</span> to battle it out for those final spots. </p>
<p id="xhIrsk">Malone had a decent showing in the preseason after looking good in training camp, so I’m giving him one of those spots. Tate also played well in camp and the preseason while also having several years left on his contract, whereas <span>Core</span> is a free agent next year and won’t have practice squad eligibility. </p>
<p id="0Jx9y2">Tate does, so the Bengals can keep him on the roster for the time being, then when Green returns from his injury, try to sneak the second-year receiver onto the practice squad. </p>
<h3 id="XEEO4n">Tight Ends (4): <span><strong>C.J. Uzomah</strong></span>, <span><strong>Tyler Eifert</strong></span>, <span><strong>Drew Sample</strong></span>, <span><strong>Mason Schreck</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="I0FgS1">The only real debate here is Schreck vs. <span>Jordan Franks</span> and <span>Cethan Carter</span> for the final spot. Schreck has consistently looked better in the preseason, so I’m giving him the narrow edge. </p>
<h3 id="f3J1xg">Offense Tackles (3): <span><strong>Cordy Glenn</strong></span>, <span><strong>Bobby Hart</strong></span>, <span><strong>Andre Smith</strong></span>
</h3>
<h3 id="w7ywfv">Interior Offensive Line (5): <span><strong>Michael Jordan</strong></span>, <span><strong>Trey Hopkins</strong></span>, <span><strong>John Miller</strong></span>, <span><strong>John Jerry</strong></span>, <span><strong>Billy Price</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="eCpLZa">Lord have mercy the Bengals are in trouble if John Jerry has to ever play tackle. He was so bad at it Thursday that he probably made the Bengals rethink keeping him after it looked like his spot was safe. But he practiced more in training camp and played more in the preseason than <span>Christian Westerman</span>, who gets waived and looks to get his chance with another team.</p>
<h3 id="CmSlsf">Edge Defenders (5): <span><strong>Carlos Dunlap</strong></span>, <span><strong>Sam Hubbard</strong></span>, <span><strong>Carl Lawson</strong></span>, <span><strong>Jordan Willis</strong></span>, <span><strong>Kerry Wynn</strong></span>
</h3>
<h3 id="vPxHU2">Interior Defensive Line (5): <span><strong>Geno Atkins</strong></span>, <span><strong>Andrew Billings</strong></span>, <span><strong>Ryan Glasgow</strong></span>, <span><strong>Andrew Brown</strong></span><strong>, </strong><span><strong>Renell Wren</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="xfXC27">The only real debate here is if Josh Tupo should make the roster, but who are you cutting him for? Wren has shown some nice flashes and was a fourth-round pick this year. <span>Brown</span> looks like a different player after injuries plagued his rookie season. Maybe the Bengals go with an unprecedented 11 defensive lineman and Tupou is the final man, especially if Brown ends up playing on the edge a lot. </p>
<p id="Zfe6Xs">But for now, I have him landing on the practice squad </p>
<h3 id="RP2DiK">Linebackers (6): <span><strong>Preston Brown</strong></span>, <span><strong>Nick Vigil</strong></span>, <span><strong>Jordan Evans</strong></span>, <span><strong>Germaine Pratt</strong></span>, <span>Deshaun Davis</span>, <span>Hardy Nickerson</span>
</h3>
<p id="rcwweg">The Bengals are a mess at linebacker, and I think there’s a real chance they only keep four of these guys and look to acquire more backers off of waivers or through a trade. </p>
<p id="AerFPZ"><span>Davis</span> was up and down in the preseason, but I think the Bengals give him a shot since he was a sixth-round pick this year. </p>
<p id="HxURWD">As for <span>Nickerson</span>, he has experience, <a href="https://youtu.be/t1Hrt_oWauU?t=19">if you consider failure experience</a>. </p>
<h3 id="oLqOBr">Cornerbacks (5): <span><strong>William Jackson III</strong></span>, <span><strong>Dre Kirkpatrick</strong></span>, <span><strong>B.W. Webb</strong></span>, <span><strong>Darius Phillips</strong></span><strong>, </strong><span><strong>Tony McRae</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="K8fYJV">With <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> ending up on PUP, that paves the way for <span>Tony McRae</span> to sneak onto the roster. He was consistently better than former fifth-round pick <span>Davontae Harris</span>, who ends up on the practice squad. McRae hasn’t looked good this preseason, but like Nickerson, he has experience, only McRae has actually had some nice flashes at times. </p>
<h3 id="BpRm6u">Safeties (4): <span><strong>Jessie Bates III</strong></span>, <span><strong>Shawn Williams</strong></span>, <span><strong>Clayton Fejedelem</strong></span>, <span><strong>Brandon Wilson</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="JJiYZM">There’s a chance the Bengals keep <span>Trayvon Henderson</span> as an extra safety depending on if Fej is ready for Week 1. Henderson has shown some flashes and even got some brief looks at linebacker. I think it’s safe to say most of us would rather see him on the roster than <span>Nickerson</span>. </p>
<h3 id="abB7nE">Specialists (3): <span><strong>Randy Bullock</strong></span>, <span><strong>Kevin Huber</strong></span>, <span><strong>Clark Harris</strong></span>
</h3>
<p id="bAmX4X">No words needed. </p>
<h3 id="sJB1b1">Practice Squad (11): </h3>
<ul>
<li id="zE2tvB">QB Jake Dolegala</li>
<li id="G8rAHG">RB <span>Quinton Flowers</span>
</li>
<li id="10wneX">WR Stanley Morgan</li>
<li id="44LhXb">WR <span>Ventell Bryant</span>
</li>
<li id="6gDekT">TE Mortiz Böhringer (International Player Pathway Program)</li>
<li id="1lIZby">TE Jordan Franks</li>
<li id="2edP1F">DL <span>Josh Tupou</span>
</li>
<li id="tGT76Q">LB <span>Malik Jefferson</span>
</li>
<li id="ahumjo">S <span>Trayvon Henderson</span>
</li>
<li id="fnGvgW">CB Davontae Harris</li>
<li id="AfvFZE">CB Jordan Brown</li>
</ul>
<p id="zdkUuG">PUP (1)</p>
<ul><li id="3wOYuv">CB <span>Darqueze Dennard</span>
</li></ul>
<p id="8ckCbK">IR (2)</p>
<ul>
<li id="moQHBc">RB Rodney Anderson</li>
<li id="sGnqtE">OT <span>Jonah Williams</span> (<span>Williams</span> may also be kept on the final roster and subsequently placed on IR, giving him the option to return later in the season) </li>
</ul>
<p id="S6GB0W">Suspension (1)</p>
<ul><li id="EzCN0Q">
<span>Alex Redmond</span> (4 games for PED use)</li></ul>
<p id="Pz8bG4"></p>
<p id="4tqCZs"></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/30/20836039/bengals-53-man-roster-2019-predictionJason Marcum2019-08-30T10:30:00-04:002019-08-30T10:30:00-04:00Bengals’ game-tying touchdown reversed off reviewed offensive pass interference
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<img alt="NFL: AUG 30 Preseason - Colts at Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tQVaUPGBZKYJZDyfnamBnfFDZ80=/0x0:2449x1633/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65142853/1025404552.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The new pass-interference replay has hurt the Bengals several times this preseason. </p> <p id="IwsCV5">After having been on both the winning and losing end of the call throughout the preseason, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> were once again brought back by a challenged pass interference call. This time, it cost arguably cost them the game. </p>
<p id="QdzL2c">With 4:06 left in the fourth quarter, <span>Jake Dolegala</span> completed a short pass to the left intended for Quinton Flowers. Five yards later, Flowers had brought the Bengals within a point of tying the hall. </p>
<p id="x4OBuK">Wait. Not quite yet. </p>
<p id="VRcdJL">The official review, like is done on all scoring plays, overturned the touchdown. The replay official called offensive pass interference on tight end <span>Mason Schreck</span>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quinton Flowers' TD was just called back because while the play was under review they saw a OPI penaly on Mason Schreck. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a></p>— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaurelPfahler/status/1167251973051158528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="SEVDnE">The Bengals, who needed a touchdown, eventually missed their chance on fourth and 1 on the Indianapolis 1. That said, while it’s impactful, this specific call won’t have an actual impact on the season.</p>
<p id="LNzrGn">However, this type of call will have an impact on potentially every play in the National Football League this upcoming season. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They challenge a TD to see if the runner's knee is down. Very normal.<br><br>They come back and call pass interference on the offense. WHAT</p>— JG (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/1167252350949646337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="Lfuz58">Have you ever watched receivers run routes in slow-mo? </p>
<p id="GlH2Gr">There is pass interference to some degree on just about every play. While it’s difficult to see who initiates the contact sometimes, there’s contact nonetheless.</p>
<p id="2zJvOl">That’s what the NFL is going to run into with these calls. It’s almost a new strategy in the game.</p>
<p id="ezpYHv">It was the outcry that happened in last year’s NFL Championship game that got this ability implemented, and it may have serious ramifications on just about every game.</p>
<p id="jplYXC">That said, the Bengals ended up losing their final preseason game to Indianapolis 13-6. Quarterback Jake Dolegala actually make a case for a spot on the 53-man roster over third-string quarterback <span>Jeff Driskel</span>. </p>
<p id="N6qK4r">That and many more positional changes should be watched over the next few days as the team will trim its roster down to just 53 men.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/30/20840180/bengals-colts-nfl-pass-interference-replay-rule-2019Nathan Beighle2019-08-30T09:00:00-04:002019-08-30T09:00:00-04:00Should Jake Dolegala make the Bengals’ final 53-man roster?
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RtvGWSFKoWa_q3wgsR3wsyZbh6w=/0x0:2862x1908/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65142059/usa_today_13276761.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Has the undrafted rookie shown enough in the preseason to care out a spot on the team’s final 2019 roster?</p> <p id="EPsWij">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have some very tough decisions to make this coming weekend. As the team wrapped up its final preseason game of 2019, it appears another quandary has reared its head in the quarterback position group. </p>
<p id="7KgYUK">Rookie Ryan Finley has had a great preseason and has taken a stranglehold on the backup quarterback spot behind starter <span>Andy Dalton</span>. The performances of both Finley and <span>Jake Dolegala</span> has seemingly made <span>Jeff Driskel</span> expendable. </p>
<p id="ZAAR7a">Maybe it’s the magic in that No. 7 Bengals jersey, but Dolegala has been impressive in the past couple of weeks. He has built upon some nice camps, where rave reviews grew about his live arm after being a relatively unknown rookie out of Central Connecticut. </p>
<p id="kK9t4M">Dolegala finished the preseason with a stat line of 28-of-42 for 254 yards against the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>. That was a follow-up to 10-of-12 for 94 yards and two scores against the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>. </p>
<p id="pEcuT0">Has he done enough to solidify a final roster for himself this summer? Let’s have a look at both sides of the argument. </p>
<h3 id="lpHgAD"><strong>Film, history and popular opinion</strong></h3>
<p id="8fIf33"><em><strong>Poise and natural ability:</strong></em> Dolegala has shown a number of traits to point to promise as an NFL signal-caller. Aside from size and arm strength, he, like Finley, has shown the ability to move around in the pocket and make plays. </p>
<p id="5Q5zCt">He’s a big guy, but eluded pressure often on Thursday night against the Colts to make plays. He would be conceivably even more productive behind a group of starting-caliber offensive linemen. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jake Dolegala, slides, steps up and fires a laser downfield. Ball tips off Malone's hands. <a href="https://t.co/rxpEbL2pfc">pic.twitter.com/rxpEbL2pfc</a></p>— JG (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/1167229553342894080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shake ‘n’ Jake <a href="https://t.co/cS6MDSyLH1">pic.twitter.com/cS6MDSyLH1</a></p>— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJAnthonyCUI/status/1167249169720827905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<p id="XKJ6a1"><em><strong>The sense with carrying three quarterbacks:</strong></em> <span>Driskel</span> was the shiny new toy for <span>Marvin Lewis</span> and they had a roster spot carved out for him before, so this isn’t totally foreign territory. Throw in two seasons ending prematurely for <span>Andy Dalton</span> since 2015 and keeping productive quarterbacks makes sense. Did we mention that Zac Taylor has a quarterback background?</p>
<p id="1glZf7"><em><strong>Will he make it past waivers?:</strong></em> Quarterbacks are a hot commodity in the NFL. Teams are often clamoring to find guys who can not only lead their team as a starter, but guys who can develop into a starter, or at least be a spot call to rely upon in the wake of an injury. </p>
<p id="nJXc8i">Some people overreact this time of year, in terms of certain players not making it through waivers, but Dolegala might become a quietly-hot name on the open market. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Said it last week, this is why I had Dolegala on the 53 for a few weeks now. You can't hide or stash him, even if he is just spamming to practice partner V. Bryant.</p>— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Roling/status/1167222204863590401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jake Dolegala has made some really impressive throws tonight. Uncorks this one and places it well for Core to make a play.<br><br>The Bengals are going to have a difficult decision to make at this rate. <a href="https://t.co/cYYZRbQTxW">pic.twitter.com/cYYZRbQTxW</a></p>— Evan McPhillips (@emcphil) <a href="https://twitter.com/emcphil/status/1167227530966966274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a>
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<h3 id="kY8fRI">
<strong>Potential deterrents</strong> </h3>
<p id="fee1VK"><em><strong>Maximizing roster spots:</strong></em> While hanging on to a talented developmental guy like Dolegala would be nice, this Bengals team still has holes at other critical areas—particularly at potential staring spots. If it comes down to keeping Dolegala and grabbing/keeping depth at other positions of higher need, what should and will win the day?</p>
<p id="y1x81q"><em><strong>A decent quarterback shining against poor talent?:</strong></em> The Bengals’ coaches need to determine if what they’ve seen from Dolegala is the real stuff, or fool’s gold. The evidence seems to support the former over the latter, but Dolegala also hasn’t gone up against starting defenses. It’s something to consider, if he’s a guy that may have any chance of taking regular-season snaps.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/analysis/2019/8/30/20839983/bengals-roster-2019-jake-dolegala-nfl-rules-preseasonAnthony Cosenza2019-08-30T07:00:00-04:002019-08-30T07:00:00-04:00Bengals injury roundup: Missed opportunity for inactive players
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<img alt="Cleveland Browns v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i0UEgE8o2R7zwNhsnYPIyHvNSnQ=/0x0:5059x3373/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65141512/1065198490.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals suffer a few scares to backup players as the regular season approaches.</p> <p id="cNvpqH">The last preseason game of the year means the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> sat just about everyone who they plan on playing a role in the 2019 season. </p>
<p id="P1ja3Z">Players like <span>Andy Dalton</span>, <span>Joe Mixon</span>, <span>Carl Lawson</span> and <span>Geno Atkins</span> never even sniffed the field. That’s good though because it means the Bengals avoid another week without losing a major contributor.</p>
<p id="RqZcHh">Unfortunately, the Bengals didn’t escape their final preseason game unscathed.</p>
<p id="sDy1Y6"><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/29/20839848/bengals-rodney-anderson-injury-oklahoma-sooners-football-colts"><strong>Running back Rodney Anderson: Right knee</strong></a></p>
<p id="MsMtEW">Coming into the night, this is the biggest thing Bengals’ fans had to worry about. No one has had question’s about Anderson’s talent as a running back, but the reason he fell all the way to the sixth round of this year’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> was because he was recovering from an ACL injury, and he had a pretty rough injury history already. This was also unfortunately the same knee he injured last year at Oklahoma.</p>
<p id="2hpFLP">It should also be noted that Anderson was able to walk to the locker room without a limp, but that shouldn’t get your hopes up too far.</p>
<p id="8y1ywr">Anderson left the game with five carries for two yards (a long of four yards) and a catch for seven yards. With fellow rookie running back <span>Trayveon Williams</span> also expected to miss the beginning of the season, that could leave an opening for <span>Justin Ellis</span> or <span>Quinton Flowers</span> on the initial 53-man roster.</p>
<p id="cs3IwN"><strong>Notable players who were inactive</strong></p>
<p id="ONjiQk">Considering that just about every starter was held out this week, we aren’t going to go name by name. Here are the highlights of guys missing it due to injury.</p>
<p id="4OAc01"><a href="https://twitter.com/pauldehnerjr/status/1167224050118275074"><strong>Linebacker Malik Jefferson: Non-football illness</strong></a></p>
<p id="LaQtJ1">Still trying to figure this one out after Jason Marcum openly wondered what a football illness would be.</p>
<p id="DahdYo">It seems a little fishy as Jefferson is very much a bubble player after being selected in the third round of the 2018 draft. This would’ve been a good chance to get a very good look at Jefferson over what probably would’ve been most of the game.</p>
<p id="2RXnLy">After Nick Vigil, <span>Preston Brown</span>, <span>Jordan Evans</span> and <span>Germaine Pratt,</span> it is up in the air how many of the remaining linebackers could actually make the 53-man roster. It is hard to imagine Jefferson making it.</p>
<p id="u1Ttsp"><strong>Wide receivers </strong><span><strong>Stanley Morgan</strong></span><strong> and </strong><span><strong>Auden Tate</strong></span></p>
<p id="qQvpKo">Neither player practiced during the week. <span>Tate</span> left last week’s game with a knee injury, which didn’t seem serious at the time. Him missing this week’s game isn’t the alarming part, but him not practicing is an issue. His spot on the 53-man roster isn’t written in stone, but <span>Tate</span> has impressed enough as a receiver and on special teams that he should make the team. He finished the preseason with eight catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p id="lMEoxl">Morgan seems destined to end up on the practice squad. He has five catches for 63 yards this preseason. Morgan didn’t show much on special teams either, so he isn’t exactly pushing for that seventh wide receiver spot on the roster. That isn’t to say we shouldn’t expect Morgan to push for the roster next offseason assuming the Bengals are able to get him on the practice squad.</p>
<p id="DciKRL">The absence of Tate and Morgan tonight opened up the opportunity for undrafted rookie <span>Ventell Bryant</span> to go off with nine catches for 83 yards. He is another candidate for the practice squad, though he did make a good case for the 53-man roster with some big outings in the preseason. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/30/20840008/bengals-injury-news-rodney-anderson-cody-core-auden-tate-coltsPatrickJudis2019-08-29T22:17:06-04:002019-08-29T22:17:06-04:006 winners and 4 losers from Bengals vs. Colts
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<img alt="Indianapolis Colts v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TCq2QBhh77sZ8eXCxYM6PHhhaJU=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65140100/1171013295.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The preseason is (thankfully) over. Who gained and lost the most from the last exhibition of the year?</p> <p id="VyZY7M">Nobody cares about Week 4 of the preseason. Nobody except the 37 players that will be cut from every active roster in the NFL.</p>
<p id="5z6efd">That number is technically 38 for the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. So this game mattered by 1.03% more than the average NFL roster.</p>
<p id="0A6jCe">The Bengals and <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> always conclude the preseason by facing each other, but the names in the spotlight always change. This year, a few new players put their careers on the line for the orange and black. </p>
<h2 id="pFJbaa">Winners</h2>
<p id="v9BXmj"><span><em><strong>Darius Phillips</strong></em></span>: What a way to return from injury. After hauling in an impressive first quarter interception in first game back, <span>Phillips</span> responded with a punt return for a touchdown. He already had a roster spot locked up, but this game confirmed it. He’s the clear winner of the night.</p>
<p id="qNoSkA"><span><em><strong>Germaine Pratt</strong></em></span><em><strong> and </strong></em><span><em><strong>Davontae Harris</strong></em></span>: Continuing on the special team train, both of these guys forced a fumble on the punt return, which is what the coaches are looking for at this point. <span>Harris</span> also had an additional tackle on the punt team. Both of these guys should make the team, especially if <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> starts the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. </p>
<p id="3zuNsq"><span><em><strong>Dan Godsil</strong></em></span>: You recover two fumbles as a <strong>LONG-SNAPPER</strong>(???) it doesn’t matter if you have no shot of making the team. You’re a winner in all of our books. Good luck in your next endeavor. </p>
<p id="TQsYp4"><span><em><strong>Ventell Bryant</strong></em></span>: <span>Andy Dalton</span> has had <span>Tyler Boyd</span> this preseason. <span>Ryan Finley</span> has had Damion Willis. Jake Dolegala has had Bryant. The undrafted receiver from Temple caught nine balls for 83 yards. His spot on the practice squad should’ve already been secured with his connection with Dolegala, but this performance sealed that fate.</p>
<p id="64oWzO"><span><em><strong>Deshaun Davis</strong></em></span>: The man most likely to supplant <span>Hardy Nickerson</span> had a good day on the scoresheet. Davis led the team in tackles (8) and also recorded a tackle for loss and a pass deflection. Davis should be on a team this year, let’s hope it’s this team.</p>
<h2 id="VcZOof">Losers</h2>
<p id="27AwlE"><span>John Jerry</span>: The Bengals “fourth” tackle did not perform like he deserved that distinction. Jerry gave up two sacks in the game, including one where Dolegala got strip-sacked. Jerry will make the roster, but for God’s sake, keep him inside.</p>
<p id="0Tctlr"><span><strong>Josh Malone</strong></span>: While Bryant and <span>Cody Core</span> (five receptions for 74 yards) put up decent numbers, <span>Malone</span> stayed relatively pedestrian. His main blunder involved him dropping a Dolegala dime over the middle. <span>Malone</span> got some work as a kick returner, but he did next to nothing with the opportunity. He’s safely on the outside looking in.</p>
<p id="A3YUJU"><span><em><strong>Rodney Anderson</strong></em></span>: Getting injured always stinks, especially for a guy like Anderson. Before the rookie left game with a, apparent knee injury, Anderson rushed for two yards on five carries. The blocking continued to be awful, but the real concern is Anderson’s health. <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/29/20839848/bengals-rodney-anderson-injury-oklahoma-sooners-football-colts">Hopefully he’s not sidelined for long</a>.</p>
<p id="lrhwa9"><em><strong>Tristan Vizcaino</strong></em>: He wasn’t kicking for a job in Cincinnati, he was kicking for a job elsewhere. Two-for-four ain’t gonna cut it anywhere in this league. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/29/20839811/bengals-news-colts-6-winners-4-losers-nfl-preseason-week-4-rosterJohn Sheeran