CINCINNATI
Storyline of the week
Déjà vu in the trenches: Bengals coaches exited last week’s preseason loss to Washington suggesting they don’t have starters cemented at guard. Xavier Su’a-Filo and Quinton Spain started, but the first-team offense had two brutal penalties. Michael Jordan (originally first on the depth chart) and secondrounder Jackson Carman (third) got the next reps with fourth-rounder D’Ante Smith out. Trey Hopkins returning from injury at center in Week 1 should provide interior stability, but there’s no easy answer at guard. The rookie Smith is still in the mix after a strong summer.
Rookie watch
Receiver Ja’Marr Chase dropped all three targets – all on third-down attempts in the exhibition game. Chase, this year’s fifth overall pick, looked uncomfortable with Brandon Allen at quarterback; Chase rarely works with Allen, and tight coverage didn’t help. Chase has admitted to a slow start in camp, which makes sense after he opted out of LSU’s season last year. Drops have never been an issue for him at any level. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd could take more of the focus from QB Joe Burrow than expected.
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire