Before their season finale on Thursday, the Cincinnati Bengals hosted the Indianapolis Colts for a joint practice on Tuesday.
Here are some of the highlights of the session.
Newly signed running back Zack Moss got his first look at his old team after signing with the Bengals as a free agent.
The Bengals’ entire starting offensive line was ready to play, with the exception of Ja’Marr Chase, who had not yet practiced in camp.
Joe Burrow again wore a glove between throws, but took it off when it was time to throw. Yesterday’s speculation reported that Burrow had worn gloves in the past, before his wrist injury.
Familiar faces were on the sidelines, as legendary offensive tackle Willie Anderson trained with Paul Alexander. Alexander was the Bengals’ offensive line coach from 1994 to 2017.
The media was asked not to film the teams battling each other, but we saw some analysis from journalists who were present at the training.
While there has been speculation about the glove Burrow is wearing, Burrow appears to have started the day well.
Joe Burrow made three very nice passes to Tee Higgins, one for a touchdown on an in-cut in the 7s red zone, another on the sideline route marked by Tee Higgins, and a third ball thrown perfectly to Higgins in a tight window on the sideline. Whatever the purpose of the glove, his throws are…
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) 20 August 2024
The Bengals defense also reportedly got off to a strong start.
Strong performance from #Bengals D in the first 11-period.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson managed just 1 of 4 with a few scrambles.
The only finish was a screen that Mike Hilton cleared for no gain.
Dax is in coverage on all 3 incomplete passes.— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) 20 August 2024
Rookie receiver Jermaine Burton reportedly participated in the action and scored a touchdown.
Jermaine Burton scored a touchdown during the Bengals’ practice against the Colts
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) 20 August 2024
Charlie Jones was back in full swing at training on Tuesday and caught a nice throw from Rocky Lombardi.
Tight end Mike Gesicki with a one-handed grab!
The Colts defense apparently found its place and was able to embarrass Burrow.
The Colts defense is waking up. They just dominated an 11-on-11 segment in the red zone.
This included pressure on Burrow’s face, which led to a shaky interception.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) 20 August 2024
Colts sportscasters saw the Bengals defense thwarting Indianapolis’ offense, and it seems the Bengals’ defenders made it clear, too.
This could be the worst #Colts Offensive practice of the training camp so far.
The Bengals’ defenders are excited and, frankly, seem annoyed that they aren’t being challenged more.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) 20 August 2024
Stronger defense from the Bengals. In a 3D period they hold AR to 1 of 4 with a few more scrambles.
BJ Hill yells, “Throw the damn ball, brother.”After an incomplete pass from AR that apparently went to no one, Geno Stone chides: “He only throws the ball to certain places. He doesn’t throw to the receivers.”
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) 20 August 2024
The offense apparently met all the criteria against the Colts secondary.
With the caveat that the Colts’ weakness is their secondary, Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense did pretty much everything you wanted to see. The ball barely touched the ground, Burrow distributed the ball, Gesicki had his best practice, and the passing game in between was never…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) 20 August 2024
The Colts defense got tougher and caused some problems for the Bengals during red zone drills.
Planned Red Zone games for the #Bengals Attack of the first team.
Burrow threw an interception ball (Jaylon Jones) that came out wobbly high in the air after pressure from Zaire Franklin.
Had two nice finishes to Gesicki for TD/1D.
Julian Blackmon with a PBU/Near-INT in the end zone.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) 20 August 2024
It seems that the situation became a little more heated as the day went on.
The Bengals defense responded by intercepting Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson during red zone drills.
In the Red Zone 11, the Bengals intercept the first pass from AR. Cam Taylor-Britt gets the PBU in coverage for Michael Pittman and Logan Wilson intercepts a pass.
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) 20 August 2024
Myles Murphy went down with what appeared to be a non-contact knee injury. Murphy was later wheeled to the locker room.
This was the Bengals starters’ last appearance against another team until September 8, when the New England Patriots come to Paycor Stadium, as Zac Taylor announced after practice that the starters would not play in the final preseason game on Thursday night.
Zac says the regular players will not play on Thursday.
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) 20 August 2024
And that concludes the Bengals’ 2024 training camp!
