The downside of a three-week preseason compared to the traditional four-week slate is fewer opportunities for players in need of reps to get them. One fewer game for inexperienced and unproven talent to get playing time before the starters take over for good.

Reps are simply more valuable nowadays, and theoretically, should be harder to come by. Don’t tell that to Cincinnati Bengals rookie guard Brian Parker II.

Parker, drafted in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, has been the busiest Bengal of the preseason. He’s played 119 snaps for both the second- and third-team offensive line through two weeks of exhibitions. Defensive end Isaiah Foskey is the closest to him at 113 snaps on defense.

Averaging just under 60 snaps per preseason game is uncommon, but if Parker completes that average after Friday night’s preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, he will stand alone in recent Bengals history.

Brian Parker II on the cusp of a recent Cincinnati record

Cincinnati Bengals on SI’s Jay Morrison confirmed on The Growler podcast this week that Parker is 58 snaps shy of playing the most preseason snaps for a Bengal since 2015. Per Morrison, former Cincinnati offensive lineman Dan France has the current snap count to beat at 177. Isaiah Prince, who started at right tackle for the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, is in second place at 176.

Another 59 snaps from Parker in Philly would give him the modern record. The 22-year-old played 57 snaps in his preseason debut against the Detroit Lions, and 62 a week later against the Chicago Bears.

Considering none of the starters are playing against the Eagles, Parker will get the nod at the beginning of the game and has a very good chance of staying in for the long haul. The only true G behind him on the deaf chart is rookie UDFA Liam Brown. Backup center Jacob Bayer is also likely to get snaps at guard, and by then, Parker may move to C. He’s taken 14 reps there this month.

Ultimately, this record doesn’t have much meaning aside from how it could be impressively broken. France played in four preseason games for the Bengals in 2015 when he amassed 177 snaps. Parker eclipsing that number in one fewer game would be a testament to his circumstances as well as his stamina. Remember, these are his first-ever NFL games, regardless of opposition quality.

The real reason why Parker should break this record is because of what he can do with all those remaining reps.

A different plan for Parker?

Almost 80% of Parker’s preseason snaps have come at left guard. 92 out of 119 to be exact. Subtracting the aforementioned 14 at C, and there’s 13 left over at right guard.

That number should go up this week. By a lot.

Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson writes the expectation is for Parker to see more of the other side of the center, where he isn’t as comfortable.

One guy [offensive line coach Scott] Peters won’t move is sixth-round pick Brian Parker II. That’s all Parker has done in the first two games. Left guard. Right guard. Center. But he’s played so well at left, look for him to stay at right against the Eagles.

Parker has shown enough promise these last two weeks to be considered for the role of first interior lineman off the bench. He can only man that role if he can play all three spots between the tackles. Proving he can handle taking pass sets in both directions is critical.

“I think I ran block well at right,” Parker told Hobson of his game against Chicago. “I just need match up the steps in the pass.”

Parker is certainly earned the reps he’s set to take Friday night. It’s now on him to show he can be as versatile as he is durable.