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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstripehype-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F08-2F1331646730-850x560-7843f9cc5f062e79e170ffe4edc00518.jpg)
Cincinnati Bengals players to watch
2. Chris Evans
Like Pooka Williams, Chris Evans is in a position where he is fighting for a role on the depth chart in the running back room. However, this being his first stint against an opposing NFL defense, he will be a player to watch throughout the game this weekend.
So far at camp, Evans has impressed with his elusive ability and shiftiness in the backfield and he would add a great value playing behind Joe Mixon. Evans had a very stout career at Michigan and his capability to catch passes around the scrimmage, along with his craftiness running with the ball.
Bengals running back Chris Evans continues to flash in one-on-one receiving drills.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 4, 2021
His pass catching ability is what made him stand out to the coaching staff at the senior bowl, and he also had the run of the day yesterday.
He will be critical to keep an eye on, and he will most likely start seeing snaps mid to late second quarter and in the second half. The running back battle is mostly for who will win the No. 3 job, as Mixon and Perine probably have the top two spots locked up, so it’s important for Evans that he show up in a big way during this weekend’s game.
We don’t have a ton to go off of about Evans but if he impresses on Saturday, there’s a decent shot that he wins the third-string running back gig.