Bengals OL Jackson Carman moved to backup left tackle after poor preseason performance
Friday's preseason opener for the Cincinnati Bengals did not go as planned for third-year offensive lineman Jackson Carman.Playing three quarters of football at right tackle, Carman had a pretty tumultuous evening against the Green Bay Packers. He gave up more more pressures than any of his teammates and looked outmatched by competition he should be […]
Friday's preseason opener for the Cincinnati Bengals did not go as planned for third-year offensive lineman Jackson Carman.
Playing three quarters of football at right tackle, Carman had a pretty tumultuous evening against the Green Bay Packers. He gave up more more pressures than any of his teammates and looked outmatched by competition he should be greater than as a former second-round pick.
Carman had been taking reps at right tackle along with Jonah Williams with the starting unit throughout training camp, and Friday's game definitely changed that dynamic.
In the team's first practice since, Carman was no longer taking reps at right tackle. He was at left tackle with the second-string line.
This all but means he's no longer being considered to start at right tackle, and veteran Jonah Williams has essentially won that battle.
Carman vs. Williams wasn't necessarily a true battle, but it did give the former a chance to prove his worth. Williams has been progressing back from offseason surgery and the coaching staff helped ease him back by having him split reps with Carman.
Now that Williams is good to go on his own and Carman showed he hasn't progressed, there's no need to keep a rotation at that spot going.
What Carman has to focus on now is simply showing value as a backup who can play multiple positions. Left tackle was where he showed signs of life during the playoffs last season, and he spent the entire offseason working on the other side at right tackle. He also has experience playing either guard spot.
It might be too early to say whether or not Carman's roster spot is in jeopardy, but he simply can't have a repeat performance of Friday. A return to his natural position may also end up working out for him.
If Carman can prove to be a decent backup for Orlando Brown Jr., that's all the Bengals could hope for now.
7 winners and 4 losers from Bengals’ preseason loss vs. Packers
A few first-year players looked the part in their Bengals debuts.
Featured image via © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
