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Cincinnati Bengals: 3 burning questions for the last week of preseason

By Steve Rivera

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 22: Damion Willis #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the preseason game against New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 22: Damion Willis #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the preseason game against New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Ryan Finley #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a touchdown to Auden Tate #19 against the Washington Redskins during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Ryan Finley #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a touchdown to Auden Tate #19 against the Washington Redskins during the second half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Every NFL preseason presents a surprise on the roster. For the Cincinnati Bengals, a few candidates come to mind. Fortunately for Zac Taylor and Andy Dalton, that surprise came in the absence of A.J. Green.

The “down the depth chart” discovery of quality pass-catchers will help Taylor and Dalton find a silver lining this preseason. While the offensive line has disappointed and may yet cause significant heartburn for Bengals fans, players like Auden Tate and the late push by Damion Willis are reasons to smile.

The easy assumption has been that no Green would be disastrous for Cincinnati. It still may be. But Tate and Willis give Dalton some opportunities that seemed lost with Green out of the lineup.

This isn’t to say Green being out is now a non-issue. It’s still a huge issue as he can change a game quickly. But an injury isn’t a death sentence for a Bengals team in transition. It’s also a sign that talent isn’t all that scarce in Cincinnati.

2019 will be a season of discovery. As Taylor builds the Bengals in his image, depth at the skill positions like wide receiver is key. It can’t be Green and no one else. Bengals fans can be excited about what the injury to Green exposed-depth to be excited about.

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