The 2026 Cincinnati Bengals now have a game’s worth of film to help them arrive at their 53-man roster, which feels a lot closer after preseason game No. 1.
The Bengals will have to get the roster down to 53 players by Sunday, Aug. 30 ahead of their Sept. 13 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The organization needs film and information to make its personnel decisions, and plenty was learned during the 16-6 win Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium.
The game was played throughout a steady rain for more than a quarter, and combined with the first two weeks of training camp, a clearer picture emerges of the Bengals’ personnel.
Here are our updated 53-man roster projections after the Lions game:
Bengals quarterbacks (2)
Analysis: The Bengals are obviously set at quarterback, so here’s the stat lines from the preseason opener against the Lions: Burrow went 5-for-6 for 39 yards. Flacco went 5-for-8 for 51 yards and a touchdown. He was also credited with a fumble on an errant snap that eventually ended his first series of two on the night.
Bengals running backs (3)
Analysis: Our top-three projected running backs combined for 10 carries against the Lions. That, combined with what we’ve seen in training camp, has us keeping our top three intact.
Bengals wide receivers (6)
Analysis: We have Colbie Young at No. 4 after two weeks of camp, plus his preseason debut in which he was targeted a team-high four times with two catches for a team-high 28 yards. Interestingly, established No. 3 receiver Andrei Iosivas was targeted four times and made two catches for 20 yards. That’s interesting because some observers think Young could be in a position to challenge Iosivas for the No. 3 receiver designation. Whether that competition is real or imagined, both players and the entire offense can benefit from Young and Iosivas pushing one another.
Bengals tight ends (4)
Analysis: Keep an eye out for Texas product and seventh-round draft pick Jack Endries. Against the Lions, he obviously did enough to have his number called while backup quarterback Joe Flacco was on the field. Then, Endries grabbed himself a catch-and-run touchdown.
Bengals offensive line (9)
Analysis: Our projections for the offensive line room haven’t changed.
Bengals defensive line (11)
Analysis: McKinnley Jackson could end up being the odd man out on the d-line, and that’s what we project will happen as things stand. Jackson got some first-team snaps against the Lions, turning in two tackles.
Bengals linebackers (5)
Analysis: We know who the Bengals want to be the starters (Carter and Knight) and we didn’t see enough to make a shakeup.
Bengals cornerbacks (6)
Analysis: No changes to our projected cornerback room.
Bengals safeties (4)
Analysis: Kyle Dugger was one of the Bengals’ offseason free-agent additions, and he blew up the Lions’ first play from scrimmage in the game. Battle, a veteran, had an interception basically fall into his hands later on that Lions drive.
Bengals specialists (3)
Analysis: Nothing came close to changing for our projections of this group. The field goal operation went smoothly in the rain as Evan McPherson connected on a 56-yard field goal. Punter Ryan Rehkow banged his first three punts for an average of about 52 yards, placing two inside Detroit’s 20-yard line.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Our updated 53-man roster projection for the Bengals
Reporting by Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
