Bengals Training Camp Day 6: Trayveon Williams avoids disaster, Cam Taylor-Britt juicing it up
The optimism of the upcoming season always crosses a harsh threshold when training camp arrives. For Cincinnati Bengals fans, that was first noticed when Joe Burrow suffered what was revealed to be a mild calf strain that shouldn't sideline him for any regular season action. It happened again when running back Trayveon Williams, a former […]
The optimism of the upcoming season always crosses a harsh threshold when training camp arrives. For Cincinnati Bengals fans, that was first noticed when Joe Burrow suffered what was revealed to be a mild calf strain that shouldn't sideline him for any regular season action.
It happened again when running back Trayveon Williams, a former sixth-round pick looking to have his biggest season yet in his fifth year, went down with a right ankle injury and was carted off the field.
Fortunately, just like Burrow, Williams appears to have avoided a worst case scenario should miss a couple weeks with a mild ankle sprain, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
As every team prays to stay healthy for Week 1, small victories are huge in August. The Bengals hope they can wipe more sweat off their forehead with good news regarding rookie defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell, who was also carted off with a lower body injury.
There are very few openings in Cincinnati for any undrafted rookies this year, but Maxwell had a potential at defensive tackle. Depth along the interior is minimal for the Bengals' defensive line, and any spark they can get against the pass would be welcomed after last season.
In two years as a full-time starter, Maxwell recorded 67 pressures and over 20 sacks for Chattanooga from 2021-22. His projection as an explosive 3-technique made him a dark horse to make waves this preseason. Now, it's all hope and prayers his injury isn't too serious.
The Bengals are not dealing with a serious injury for Trey Hendrickson, but they are playing it cool with their recently paid edge rusher. Hendrickson was in full pads but only did individual drills.
For as durable as Hendrickson has been in two years with the Bengals, the Bengals are prioritizing keeping him fresh for the later part of the season when generating a pass rush is critical against the top quarterbacks. That process starts in August by not overworking him through minor ailments. They know he can push them in December like he had to last year with a broken wrist.
Tee Higgins would get the same treatment if he was dealing with a minor injury, but he seems to be doing just fine. He nearly ended DJ Ivey's career before it started with this one handed catch attempt.
Higgins has had a phenomenal camp with a contract extension looming over his head, and it's been even more impressive considering how the cornerbacks have played on the opposite side of the ball.
Cam Taylor-Britt notched himself multiple PBUs Tuesday, including this one against Higgins on a simple hitch route. Size disadvantage be damned, "Juice" shows that explosion and timing are weapons against any receiver.
Size disadvantage be damned, "Juice" shows that explosion and timing are weapons against any receiver. He's got plenty of the former, and the latter seems to be improving into his second year under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
The Bengals have a walkthrough tomorrow before returning in pads for Thursday and Friday.
Bengals’ camp competition gets blown wide open after latest injury
The fifth-year player was carted off the field.
Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
