Cincinnati Bengals: 7 players to watch in Week 1 of preseason

Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Bengals halfback Pooka Williams Jr. – Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals halfback Pooka Williams Jr. – Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals are nearing the first NFL preseason game against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccanneers this Saturday night. Here are seven key players to keep an eye on during the game.

Cincinnati Bengals players to watch

7. Pooka Williams 

Pooka Williams has been one of the more exciting and enjoyable storylines of training camp so far. Williams entered as an undrafted, undersized running back out of Kansas who was not expected to make the roster. And now, before preseason has even started, he has impressed enough to make the 53-man roster potentially.

The Bengals are still searching for their second-string running back behind Joe Mixon. Williams has shown he is not only swift and agile, but he can also do work out of the slot as a receiver. Again, showing signs of what Giovani Bernard did.

Joe Mixon won’t see too much field time, so expect Williams to get plenty of run and usage as he plays with a chip on his shoulder trying to make the roster along with three other backs.

You will most likely see him start getting every-down snaps somewhere in the second half of the game. Maybe earlier, depending on how much Zac Taylor decided to use Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine.

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