Jermaine Burton's role among major questions Bengals still need to find answers to after the preseason
16 days remain until the Cincinnati Bengals kick off the regular season, and while the tuneups are done, roster tuning is certainly far from over.The initial 53-man roster will be constructed in a matter of days, waiver claims will be made, trades will be pondered, and questions will have answers.These questions, or rather, problems, are […]
16 days remain until the Cincinnati Bengals kick off the regular season, and while the tuneups are done, roster tuning is certainly far from over.
The initial 53-man roster will be constructed in a matter of days, waiver claims will be made, trades will be pondered, and questions will have answers.
These questions, or rather, problems, are the ones that need solutions the most.
Edge defender depth is an issue with or without Myles Murphy
The Bengals were wise to sit Joseph Ossai for the preseason finale Thursday night because Myles Murphy isn't seeing the field for at least a few weeks. Cedric Johnson and Justin Blazek looked great against the Colts, but only one of them is likely to make the team, and not having Murphy will bring them one short of a comfortable five abled bodies.
Murphy may go on Injured Reserve, or the Bengals could take him "week-to-week" like Zac Taylor alluded. Regardless, if he's not able to play, another edge is needed for the opening weeks of the regular season. Too many injuries and a sudden retirement have made it a problem that can't be ignored.
Who plays at nose tackle while McKinnley Jackson recovers?
Murphy is just the most recent injury Cincinnati's dealing with at the moment. Jackson, the team's third-round pick from this year's NFL Draft, has been out for a few weeks and also may miss the regular season opener. He's the only true nose tackle who was a lock to make the roster. So what's the plan when the starters get back onto the field?
Fellow rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. is an option to fill the role when the Bengals deploy their odd-front defensive line group, but nose isn't his natural position. Jay Tufele could also be next up, but keeping him on the roster would mean letting go of a more talented player at another spot. An outside addition may be needed like it is on the edge.
Figuring out a plan for Jermaine Burton
What's going on with the Bengals' rookie wideout? He was the offense's lone player to find the end zone this month, but still appears to be no higher than sixth on the depth chart. Does he simply not have the trust of the coaching staff? That appears more and more obvious as the season comes closer.
But the guy makes plays on the field, and it would be useful to find out if he can make them against starters when it matters.
Cincinnati has been fortunate that Trenton Irwin remains his reliable self and Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones have made leaps in their respective developments. Giving them increased roles is completely justifiable. If the cost is keeping Burton on the bench, that's a tough pill to swallow.
All 10 draft picks survive cutdown day in final 2024 Bengals 53-man roster prediction
One last crack at how the Bengals’ 53-man roster will look after roster cuts.
