Cut day is quickly approaching in the National Football League. Each NFL team has until Tuesday, August 26 to decide which 53 men will be making their roster. All cuts must be made by 4 p.m. ET.
Even though the Cincinnati Bengals were humbled by the Indianapolis Colts, 41-14, the score didn’t matter. Numerous players on the verge of being cut had key minutes to prove their worth to Zac Taylor and the entire organization.
On SI’s James Rapien Gives His Predictions for Locks to Make the Bengals Roster
HC Taylor made it very clear that the team’s starters wouldn’t be suiting up for the preseason finale. The Bengals 1-2 record isn’t indictive of the team they are going to put on the field in the regular season. The box score of their Colts’ loss looks ugly, but should be taken with a grain of salt.
To prove how many backups didn’t play, Jake Browning wasn’t given any snaps in Cincinnati. None of their top three running backs, according to ESPN’s depth chart, recorded a single carry. It goes without saying, but the likes of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase weren’t even suited up.
Last week’s preseason hero, Mitch Tinsley, did not participate. He went into the game with an injury designation, and the team decided to keep him out of action. Upon doing so, Rapien believes that’s “an indicator that he’ll make the roster.”
Another receiver “expected to make the team” is Jermaine Burton. He hauled in just one of his four targets, but notably was held out of the game after suffering an injury. Rapien broke down his lower body injury, one the team will be keeping an eye on.
Elsewhere, Rapien notes that Matt Lee, Jalen Rivers, and McKinnley Jackson are likely to make the roster. There’s plenty of others though that were stuck battling for a spot on the 53-man team.
Key Names to Watch Heading Into Cut Day
The only other injury was to Daijahn Anthony. The safety didn’t return after suffering a right leg injury in the first half. Rapien believes there’s room for concern as PJ Jules showed out in the preseason finale. Jules had seven tackles against the Colts, all of which were solo tackles. As it stands, Anthony is ahead of Jules on the depth chart.
Cincinnati’s offensive line has always gotten plenty of attention. On a team trying to protect their $275 million QB, there’s nothing more important than the O-Line. Rapien discussed Jaxson Kirkland, Andrew Coker, and Caleb Etienne all starting against Indy.
Three sacks were allowed for a total of 20 yards. Kirkland is listed as LG2 while Coker is LT3 and Etienne is RT3. Not even Kirkland’s spot is guaranteed as Cordell Volson is right on his tail.
Another key name Rapien mentioned was Howard Cross III. The 24-year-old rookie is listed as RDT4 behind B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins Jr., and Taven Bryan. Rapien wrote, “He left quite an impression, but it’s unclear if he’ll make the team.”
At this point, all these Bengals players have nothing to do but sit and wait for the next three days.
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