Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor was hesitant to say how many starters would play in the preseason opener and for how long, but he said he did want fans to know they will see “some exciting players” if they come to the game.
The Bengals host the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 13, at Paycor Stadium.
Among those confirmed to be playing are quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Taylor said he was still working through plans for playing time in part because some guys are still being assessed for availability after being limited or out of practice Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Here are five things to know going into the game:
1. Who will play and how much?
Taylor said decisions are still being made, but “a good amount of the starters will play.”
Last year, the starters played two series in the opener, and Burrow ended both of his drives with touchdown passes. When asked if it could be similar Thursday, Taylor said that was “ideal” last year but he wasn’t going to put a number of how many series Burrow would get.
“Limited series,” Taylor said. “So, it won’t be a ton of time, but for our fans who come out there, they’re going to see Joe and Ja’Marr and Tee, they’re going to see Dexter. So they’ll get a chance to enjoy some of our players there, but how long I keep him out there remains to be seen.”
Taylor said Dax Hill and Bryan Cook, who are nursing minor leg injuries, will be out and reassessed next week, and tight end Erick All Jr. and rookie center Connor Lew, who are both coming back from ACL tears, won’t play as they continue to ease back into competition.
Rookies Tacario Davis and Cashius Howell did not practice Tuesday, but Taylor said they are day-to-day and their status is to be determined but “nothing long-term on them.”
2. What does Taylor want to get from this game?
Taylor said the first two preseason games, both being at home, provide a valuable chance even for the starters to get that feeling of walking out of the tunnel in their own stadium and playing in front of their fans before the real competition begins.
The games are more important for evaluating backups and players fighting for spots on the roster, but Taylor said they don’t necessarily have to pop off on the film with huge plays to get noticed.
“Sometimes it’s about being dependable,” Taylor said. “It’s not necessarily this guy went out here and had seven catches for 160 yards or had 18 tackles. It’s not that. It’s ‘were they in the right spot? Did they communicate well? Can we depend on them if they go in the game at that role? How’d they play on special teams?’”
3. Secondary depth to be tested
Taylor said before the start of training camp that the depth of the secondary was one of the areas of greatest uncertainty for the Bengals. That will be put to the test Thursday with Hill and Cook out.
Cincinnati has been rotating different defensive backs in with the first-team throughout recent practices, but now the staff will have a chance to see how they perform against an unfamiliar opponent and in a real game setting.
Bralyn Lux and Ja’Sir Taylor have been sliding in at nickel corner with Jalen Davis already penciled into that spot, and DJ Ivey and Josh Newton both saw first-team reps at outside corner Tuesday. Tacario Davis likely would have seen some of those snaps had he not been out.
“I think those guys, they got a good understanding of what we’re asking them to do, and so now going forward, especially in the games, it’s let’s go compete on the receiver you’re on,” Taylor said. “Let’s go not give a lot of space and access to them, and let’s go compete and make plays on the ball and make things really difficult for the offense. And so, I think that’ll be the next step is once we get into the Detroit game, once we get into more unscripted call-out periods, see how these guys continue to compete for these spots.”
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Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow still ranks among best QBs in NFL
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Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown among middle tier of NFL running backs
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Cincinnati Bengals: Receiving corps looking for more production in 2026
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Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive line looking to continue climb in 2026
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Cincinnati Bengals: Overhauled defensive line caught attention
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Cincinnati Bengals: Linebackers expected to make leap in Year 2
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Cincinnati Bengals: Are the safety concerns a thing of the past?
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Cincinnati Bengals: Depth improved at cornerback
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How do the Bengals position groups stack up against the rest of the NFL?
Laurel Pfahler breaks down the Cincinnati Bengals position groups heading into the 2026 season in this 8-part series.
Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow still ranks among best QBs in NFL
Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown among middle tier of NFL running backs
Cincinnati Bengals: Receiving corps looking for more production in 2026
Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive line looking to continue climb in 2026
Cincinnati Bengals: Overhauled defensive line caught attention
Cincinnati Bengals: Linebackers expected to make leap in Year 2
Cincinnati Bengals: Are the safety concerns a thing of the past?
Cincinnati Bengals: Depth improved at cornerback
4. Kick/punt return battle
Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said he sees a legit battle happening for the kick/punt returner job Charlie Jones has maintained the past few years, as Ke’Shawn Williams also could be a viable option.
That’s a battle to watch in preseason.
Taylor said the biggest thing a returner needs is dependability in securing the catch but explosiveness is another factor. Those are things the Bengals know they can get with Jones because he’s shown that in the past when healthy. The question is if someone else can do it better and maybe provide more on offense.
“I certainly think there’s a battle there and everybody’s going to get opportunities, and these games are the long way with everybody’s off the field and there’s fans in the stands, and sometimes it’s nighttime, you got to track the ball in the lights, so I think those are all elements that I’ve looked forward to seeing how these guys handle it,” Taylor said.
5. Physicality watch
The Lions are considered one of the most physical teams in the league, so Thursday could be a test to how much the Bengals have grown in that regard. Some players have said this has been the most physical camp they’ve been a part of with Cincinnati.
“I think it’s a good opponent,” Taylor said. “A lot of respect for Dan (Campbell) and his coaching staff and the way that they play, and so, I think it’s a really good first preseason game for our guys to see where we’re at, and we’ll get a feel. I don’t know what his plan will be for all his guys, but I think it’s a good first game for us to see where we’re at.’
Taylor and Campbell were assistants together with the Miami Dolphins coaching staff from 2012-15 seasons.