Bengals HC Zac Taylor declares 3 starters and key backup out for Monday night’s preseason game against Commanders

A handful of important Bengals will not play in the team’s second preseason game.

John Sheeran Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor after a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals have wrapped up practice ahead of Monday night’s preseason matchup against the Washington Commanders, and not everyone who will make the team will end up dressing for the game.

Coach Zac Taylor announced Myles Murphy, Mike Gesicki, Geno Stone, and Cordell Volson will not play in Washington.

Murphy has been hurt since the beginning of the week and hasn’t practiced since Sunday, but it sounds like he’ll return around when the preseason wraps up next week. First-round pick Shemar Stewart is expected to get some looks with the starters while Murphy is sidelined, and Trey Hendrickson continues to hold-in for a new contract.

Gesicki missed the first preseason game last Thursday, and since he won’t suit up for Monday’s, that means his new teammate, Noah Fant, will have plenty of opportunities in his preseason debut for Cincinnati. Fant officially signed with the club on July 31.

Stone suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason opener and had been out of practice until Friday, but he hasn’t been back long enough to play in Monday’s game. Tycen Anderson will get the nod in Stone’s place.

Volson was the most recent player to suffer an injury as he injured his shoulder during Friday’s practice. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out, but he’s guaranteed to miss Monday night.

Cincinnati’s offensive line has had a rough training camp. Lucas Patrick hasn’t inspired much confidence as the starting right guard, Cody Ford has had to move over to both tackle spots due to minor injuries to Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims, and now Volson won’t have a chance to make a case to start over Patrick in the most important preseason game.

Expect the starters to play most, if not all, of the first quarter against the Commanders.

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