Highs and lows of training camp have already been experienced by the Cincinnati Bengals after just six days of practice. Young and new players have shined, and minor injuries have unfortunately occurred. 



The names change every year, but the cycle remains the same when July turns to August.

The Bengals are a week away from hosting joint practices with the Green Bay Packers leading up to a preseason matchup between both teams. Now's the perfect time to evaluate the standouts from the first six practices as the intensity begins to ramp up. 

5 Winners From First Week of Bengals Training Camp

Cornerback DJ Turner

It’s always impressive to see a rookie fit in so seamlessly right out of the gate. Seamless fits Turner’s movement abilities to a tee. He mirrors with ease and stays in the hip pocket of receivers going vertical, which allows him to find the ball quicker and make a play on it.  

"He's made a lot of plays on the ball," head coach Zac Taylor said early on in camp. As the install increases, more things are thrown out of an offense, so I'm sure there will be a learning curve there. But again, through three days, I think he's been impressive. And it's one thing to do with three days. It's another thing to do it three weeks. It's another thing to do it three months. With all these young players, it's the consistency over time that'll be critical for them"

A starting gig may not be on Turner's plate when Week 1 comes around, but the fourth cornerback spot looks as good as his should he keep this play up through the preseason. He'll get on the field this season one way or another.

Quarterback Jake Browning

The biggest beneficiary to Joe Burrow’s injury scare has been Browning. The 27-year old quarterback has looked sharp practicing with the starting offense. His increase in has put his development on the fast track. 

"This has been really good for Jake to have these opportunities," Taylor said. "He's done a really good job evolving in our offense the last couple years, and now he's getting a chance to get a lot of reps with Trevor [Siemian]. And so that's been really good to see the progression he's continuing to make."

Had Joe Burrow's calf strain never happened, the competition at backup quarterback may've looked quite different. Fellow competitor Trevor Siemian has more experience and fit the profile of a veteran backup, but Browning's progression makes him tough to deny the role for now.

Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins

No Burrow? No problem. His top two receivers are doing just fine catching deep passes and making it look easy. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer took notice when he visited camp a few days ago.

“The Bengals receivers are aliens. Ja’Marr Chase had a catch down the sideline with two guys on him on Monday, where he shielded a defender with his body and caught the ball seemingly off his left hip with one hand, that I don’t think five guys on the planet would’ve made. Tee Higgins had a stream of catches where his body was moving one way across the middle, and his hands would dart back the other way to snatch the ball. And those two, and the way they push each other, came up a bunch with guys I talked to here.” – SI’s Albert Breer

Lost practice time between Burrow and his receiver could've been a big concern as the regular season inches closer. Browning and Siemian have successfully kept the offense on pace for where they need to be in a month's time. It doesn't hurt having the best outside receiver duo on the planet. 

Tight end Tanner Hudson

It’s anyone’s guess how the tight end depth chart will shake up when final cuts arrive. Irv Smith Jr. will start, but the reserves behind him are up in the air, kind of like Hudson is in the picture above.

Hudson asserted himself as a consistent target in the first few practices, showcasing an impressive combination of size and speed that isn't too common in the Bengals' tight end room. He's also played over 452 snaps over the past four years, including 258 last year alone for the New York Giants. 

That experience only boosts Hudson's case to not only make the team. but to surpass one of Drew Sample or Devin Asiasi as the No. 2 at the position. 

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Now that the shells are on, trench play will get the spotlight in the coming days. Jonah Williams and Jackson Carman will continue to battle it out at right tackle against a defensive line that isn't planning on holding back. 

Second-year defensive tackle Zach Carter has also made splashes. Can he keep his momentum going? Or will fellow sophomore player Cordell Volson and the Bengals' interior offensive line keep him at bay?  



Much is to be learned before Cincinnati's first preseason game vs. Green Bay on Friday, August 11 at 7pm EST.

Bengals: Zac Taylor’s simple explanation for key backup’s development

It’s no secret why one of the Bengals’ best players from camp thus far has gotten better.

Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK