The defense continues to hold its own against the high-powered Bengals offense.
One week away from their preseason opener, the Cincinnati Bengals were back on the practice field Thursday.
A new weapon
Some roster news broke before practice with the signing of Noah Fant, and head coach Zac Taylor seems excited to have him.
“I think we’ve got a really good tight end room and there are ways we can enhance it as well so that is exciting.” Zac Taylor on reports that Noah Fant is set to join the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/3FRPXGA15a
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 31, 2025
The Bengals moved practice indoors Thursday, presumably due to thunderstorms in the area.
Indoor practice No. 2 of training camp. pic.twitter.com/X0YV8e1bIF
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) July 31, 2025
Amarius Mims was not in uniform on Thursday, which will be something to keep an eye on.
Practice 7 underway.
Amarius Mims not in uniform pic.twitter.com/zUJubLZQDF
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 31, 2025
With Mims out, rookie Jalen Rivers took snaps with the first team at right tackle.
With Amarius Mims out today, Jalen Rivers is at right tackle.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 31, 2025
Hendrickson stays engaged
Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery worked with his unit, with Hendrickson looking on. While he isn’t suited up, Hendrickson remains engaged.
Trey Hendrickson watching position group drill @WCPO pic.twitter.com/uVAjwH6qVt
— Mike Dyer (@MikeDyer) July 31, 2025
Hendrickson continued to work with rookie Shemar Stewart, as we saw Wednesday.
Trey Hendrickson offers some words of encouragement and coaching to Shemar Stewart, Thursday indoors during individual drills pic.twitter.com/AdJVkrKxDl
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 31, 2025
Defense steps up again
DJ Turner reportedly had a strong day, making a good play on a ball intended for Tee Higgins.
Another loud and productive day for the Defense, DJ Turner with back-to-back impressive plays one on Andrei Iosivas, the other here on Tee Higgins. pic.twitter.com/jUsVkNsBUH
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 31, 2025
DJ Turner starts practice with two physical PBUs on the first handful of plays.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 31, 2025
Rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. made a great play on a ball and Dax Hill’s quick reaction resulted in an interception.
WHAT A PLAY by Demetrius Knight and heads up grab by Dax Hill to pick off this Joe Burrow pass intended for Ja’Marr Chase. pic.twitter.com/PZNoDenWQm
— Yanni Tragellis (@yannitragellis) July 31, 2025
The secondary seemed to have a really good day, but DJ Turner had a much needed big day.
Today was DJ Turner day in the indoor. Counted him with 5 pass breakups, with at least one on each of the #Bengals top 3 WRs.
The day wrapped with this win one on one with Higgins.
He’s had a rough camp to this point, but big bounce back today. pic.twitter.com/ARaUKaTxOr
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 31, 2025
All in all, it feels like the defense won the day, and against an offense as potent as the Bengals, that is a good sign.