Simple decision in latest Bengals practice speaks volumes about upcoming roster decision with fan favorite player
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers has gone from roster hopeful to virtual roster lock in seemingly no time at all. His latest practice tells us he’s a lot safer than previously believed.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers has gone from roster hopeful to virtual roster lock and fan favorite in seemingly no time at all.
Meyers has been impressive in both training camp practices and his first preseason action, and standing out in the Bengals’ wide receiver room is no small feat. He has done exactly that behind at least four wideouts guaranteed to make the team.
It’s not just Meyers’ preseason production and highlights over the last two weeks that inspire confidence about his chances of surviving final cuts. It’s what Cincinnati has decided to do in its most recent practice that basically seals the deal when it comes to his roster fate.
Dohnte Meyers capitalizes on rep with starters
Meyers has almost exclusively worked with the second- and third-string during training camp practices. More recently, he’s been locked in with the twos alongside Colbie Young, Mitch Tinsley, and occasionally Charlie Jones and Ke’Shawn Williams.
On Monday afternoon, in the Bengals’ first practice since their second preseason game, Myers was given a rep with the starters and took full advantage of that opportunity, catching a back-shoulder fade from Joe Burrow.
The significance here is very clear. If the Bengals were not serious about keeping Meyers, they would not waste Burrow and the starting offense’s time having him out there sharing the field with all of them. It was around this time last year when Tinsley was getting reps with the ones, including the second preseason of 2025 when he made an impression on Burrow.
Cincinnati would also not be making it known, or allowing it to be known, that Meyers is good enough to get reps with the starters before letting him loose into waivers with 31 other teams waiting to claim him. The Bengals are giving him this chance because they want him around.
A sign of what’s to come for Meyers
If Meyers does get any playing time during the regular season, it’s going to be with the starters. It’s going to be with Burrow under center and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins flanking him. He is a classic case of someone who started really low on the depth chart and has just proven to be undeniable, to the point where he now belongs with the top players on the team.
At this point, I don’t expect him to play much, if at all, during Friday’s preseason finale. That game will be reserved for players who are still fighting for jobs and have more to prove, or will be bolstering their resumes for other teams next week when they become available.
Myers looks like he’s firmly in the plans for the Bengals in 2026.
