August 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nThose moments, along with Burrow\u2019s precision on a long touchdown drive to open the 11-on-11 period, have become increasingly more frequent after the most notable storyline of the first six days was the defense\u2019s dominant performance.<\/p>\n
Even after the long, sweltering practice, Burrow stayed to run sprints, looking like he was trying to reach his top speed, a sign of how good he feels at this point in camp. All is well right now with the most important man in stripes.<\/p>\n
Pass rush rolls on<\/p>\n
On Friday, Dexter Lawrence pushed the pocket and sent Burrow to the ground for the first time in camp.<\/p>\n
Lawrence strode off after the play with little concern as Burrow bounced up.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s just what Lawrence does. And he does it in every practice. His presence can be specifically felt on a day like Sunday, when the long drives become even longer as Lawrence pushes the middle with every rush.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been pushing the middle all camp,\u201d edge Myles Murphy said. \u201cAll we got to do on the edges is just shorten the edge a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan Allen picked up a sack, and the rush kept the Bengals\u2019 first-team offense in check despite the two touchdown drives.<\/p>\n
While there\u2019s much concern about the consistency of the pass rush, defensive coordinator Al Golden was able to use third-down blitzes to gain critical stops. Demetrius Knight Jr. blitzed, beating Samaje Perine for a sack that killed a drive. Barrett Carter brought a blitz that forced Burrow to launch an incomplete deep ball down the sideline for another third-down stop.<\/p>\n
The defense played with confidence despite being down bodies in the secondary. Cook sat out after sustaining a soft tissue injury Friday, and Dax Hill continues to miss time with his own soft tissue injury. Neither is considered serious. Also, starting nickel Jalen Davis sat out the team portion of practice, leaving Bralyn Lux to get targeted by Burrow on the opening drive.<\/p>\n
To be missing that many players in the secondary and still pull off four stops in six drives speaks to the confidence the defense is playing with, and it starts with Lawrence and that line muddying up so many pockets.<\/p>\n
![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tannerhudson-scaled-e1786308946473.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Tight end Tanner Hudson, who snagged a touchdown catch from Joe Flacco on Sunday, remains a key role player for Cincinnati. (Katie Stratman \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Reliable depth in the passing game<\/p>\n
Positive training camp stories often focus on a team\u2019s shiny new toy. Whether it be a free-agent addition, undrafted standout or top pick making a splash, August is about what\u2019s new.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s been the case in Bengals\u2019 camp, as fourth-round pick Colbie Young has seemingly stacked at least one impressive catch per day. CFL star Dohnte Meyers has been a talk of camp and added a deep touchdown pass from Joe Flacco on Friday.<\/p>\n
The fresh faces make it easy to overlook the strong play of roster mainstays. Sunday provided a reminder.<\/p>\n
On fourth down in the red zone, Flacco dropped back and saw tight end Tanner Hudson winning his route at the line but double-teamed. Regardless, the veteran QB gave him a shot. Hudson snagged the pass and threw down a powerful spike in celebration.<\/p>\n
Hudson seems to do this every camp, and that\u2019s why the 31-year-old is now in his fourth season in Cincinnati. He might be established on the roster, but his attitude hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had that mentality since I got into the league,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cI knew when I came in as an undrafted free agent, no signing bonus: As long as I want to be in the NFL, it\u2019s going to be a grind. I have to earn it every single day. I know my role here. I know what I can do. That doesn\u2019t mean that it is just given to me. I have to go show I deserve the role and deserve the reps that I get.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s always been one of Burrow\u2019s favorites \u2014 and now one of Flacco\u2019s \u2014 and his presence behind Mike Gesicki is a reminder of how the Bengals\u2019 offensive continuity extends beyond the starting 11. Rotational players like Hudson having years of reps goes a long way toward sustaining success.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I have a great relationship with everybody here in this building, quarterbacks especially,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to come in and do my job, do what I can for what feels like is going to be an incredible team this year, offense and defense. Just trying to do my part.\u201d<\/p>\n
The same can be said about Iosivas, who has been more noted in camp for his competition with Young over the third receiver spot. Despite a few notable drops, Iosivas appears as polished and athletic as ever at getting open. He did so in working against Lux for Sunday\u2019s first score.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve been unguardable pretty much all camp,\u201d Iosivas said. \u201cI\u2019ve been winning on all three levels. I feel faster. The game is slowing down. I\u2019m playing free and loose.\u201d<\/p>\n
His opinion won\u2019t change the competition from kicking up a notch depending on how Young progresses in preseason games. Ever confident, Iosivas says he\u2019s not feeling that pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m worried about the guy who is lined up in front of me, not the guy who is coming for my spot, potentially. As long as I am beating the guys in front of me, everything will take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n