Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
CINCINNATI (WKRC) — For most of the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday night's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles isn't about winning or losing. For a handful of players, it's about keeping their jobs.
The Bengals must trim their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday, leaving one final opportunity for players on the bubble to convince the coaching staff they belong.
Head coach Zac Taylor made the stakes clear this week, essentially saying that if a player is playing in the preseason finale, he shouldn't feel comfortable about his roster status.
Most of Cincinnati's roster appears settled, but several decisions remain. Here are five things to watch Friday night.
1. Can anyone win the backup offensive tackle job?
The most significant unresolved issue might not be at the bottom of the roster. Cincinnati released veteran offensive lineman Cody Ford this week after a training camp in which no one clearly emerged as the team's swing tackle.
Javon Foster remains among the options, but the Bengals could ultimately have to look outside the organization for an answer. Taylor has said Cincinnati would have preferred someone already on the roster to take ownership of the position, but training camp ended without that happening.
That makes Friday an important final audition for the tackles still on the roster — and could determine how aggressively Cincinnati searches for help after other teams begin making cuts.
2. Who survives at wide receiver?
The Bengals appear to have more NFL-caliber receivers than available roster spots.
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas are established, while Dohnte Meyers has emerged as one of the biggest stories of training camp.
Meyers' rise from the CFL continued to the point that he was working with Cincinnati's first-team offense late in camp. His ability to contribute as a receiver and returner has strengthened his roster case considerably.
That leaves players including Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones, Ke'Shawn Williams, Colbie Young and Noah Thomas fighting through a numbers crunch. Young has flashed as a receiver, while Jones' experience in the return game gives him additional value. The Bengals could keep six receivers, but the depth of the group could make seven tempting.
Friday's receiving numbers will matter, but special teams snaps could matter just as much.
3. How many defensive linemen make the roster?
A position that once appeared to be a Bengals weakness has become one of their deepest.
Cincinnati's increased use of five defensive linemen could lead the team to keep 11 players at the position instead of the more conventional 10, potentially taking a roster spot away from another position such as linebacker.
Rookie Landon Robinson has made his case difficult to ignore. Robinson recorded sacks in each of Cincinnati's first two preseason games and has emerged as one of the team's biggest preseason surprises.
The question now is how many players the Bengals are willing to keep in a loaded defensive line room — and whether they could use some of that depth in a trade to address another position.
4. Who earns a roster spot on special teams?
The final roster isn't constructed solely by ranking the best offensive and defensive players. Special teams could determine several of Sunday's most difficult decisions.
At linebacker, Swayze Bozeman has strengthened his case with his special teams play. Cincinnati also has numbers decisions to make at cornerback and safety, where the ability to contribute on special teams could separate players with otherwise similar roster cases.
Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons has long had significant input into the back end of Cincinnati's roster. For players fighting for one of the final spots, a tackle on kickoff coverage Friday could ultimately mean more than a big offensive or defensive play.
5. Who makes one final impression?
The front office and coaches appear to know the identity of the vast majority of the roster. The real uncertainty surrounds the final few players — essentially the 49th through 53rd spots. That gives Friday's game significance even if many of the Bengals' biggest names never take the field.
Players who have spent weeks fighting for limited practice and preseason snaps will get one final opportunity to put something on film. A strong performance could earn a spot on Cincinnati's roster or practice squad.
And even if it doesn't, it could attract the attention of another NFL team when hundreds of players become available following roster cuts.
For the Bengals, the preseason finale is the final evaluation before the roster takes shape. For the players on the field Friday night, it could be much bigger than that.
_______________
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
CINCINNATI (WKRC) — For most of the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday night's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles isn't about winning or losing. For a handful of players, it's about keeping their jobs.
The Bengals must trim their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday, leaving one final opportunity for players on the bubble to convince the coaching staff they belong.
Head coach Zac Taylor made the stakes clear this week, essentially saying that if a player is playing in the preseason finale, he shouldn't feel comfortable about his roster status.
Most of Cincinnati's roster appears settled, but several decisions remain. Here are five things to watch Friday night.
1. Can anyone win the backup offensive tackle job?
The most significant unresolved issue might not be at the bottom of the roster. Cincinnati released veteran offensive lineman Cody Ford this week after a training camp in which no one clearly emerged as the team's swing tackle.
Javon Foster remains among the options, but the Bengals could ultimately have to look outside the organization for an answer. Taylor has said Cincinnati would have preferred someone already on the roster to take ownership of the position, but training camp ended without that happening.
That makes Friday an important final audition for the tackles still on the roster — and could determine how aggressively Cincinnati searches for help after other teams begin making cuts.
2. Who survives at wide receiver?
The Bengals appear to have more NFL-caliber receivers than available roster spots.
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas are established, while Dohnte Meyers has emerged as one of the biggest stories of training camp.
Meyers' rise from the CFL continued to the point that he was working with Cincinnati's first-team offense late in camp. His ability to contribute as a receiver and returner has strengthened his roster case considerably.
That leaves players including Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones, Ke'Shawn Williams, Colbie Young and Noah Thomas fighting through a numbers crunch. Young has flashed as a receiver, while Jones' experience in the return game gives him additional value. The Bengals could keep six receivers, but the depth of the group could make seven tempting.
Friday's receiving numbers will matter, but special teams snaps could matter just as much.
3. How many defensive linemen make the roster?
A position that once appeared to be a Bengals weakness has become one of their deepest.
Cincinnati's increased use of five defensive linemen could lead the team to keep 11 players at the position instead of the more conventional 10, potentially taking a roster spot away from another position such as linebacker.
Rookie Landon Robinson has made his case difficult to ignore. Robinson recorded sacks in each of Cincinnati's first two preseason games and has emerged as one of the team's biggest preseason surprises.
The question now is how many players the Bengals are willing to keep in a loaded defensive line room — and whether they could use some of that depth in a trade to address another position.
4. Who earns a roster spot on special teams?
The final roster isn't constructed solely by ranking the best offensive and defensive players. Special teams could determine several of Sunday's most difficult decisions.
At linebacker, Swayze Bozeman has strengthened his case with his special teams play. Cincinnati also has numbers decisions to make at cornerback and safety, where the ability to contribute on special teams could separate players with otherwise similar roster cases.
Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons has long had significant input into the back end of Cincinnati's roster. For players fighting for one of the final spots, a tackle on kickoff coverage Friday could ultimately mean more than a big offensive or defensive play.
5. Who makes one final impression?
The front office and coaches appear to know the identity of the vast majority of the roster. The real uncertainty surrounds the final few players — essentially the 49th through 53rd spots. That gives Friday's game significance even if many of the Bengals' biggest names never take the field.
Players who have spent weeks fighting for limited practice and preseason snaps will get one final opportunity to put something on film. A strong performance could earn a spot on Cincinnati's roster or practice squad.
And even if it doesn't, it could attract the attention of another NFL team when hundreds of players become available following roster cuts.
For the Bengals, the preseason finale is the final evaluation before the roster takes shape. For the players on the field Friday night, it could be much bigger than that.
_______________
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
