Bengals 2022 Training Camp: Who’s hot, who’s not after first week

The Cincinnati Bengals have been in training camp for a week now so let’s take a look at the players who are ‘hot’ and those who are ‘not’ after one week of camp is in the books. 

This is the most anticipated season of Cincinnati Bengals football maybe ever, as the stripes reached the Super Bowl last season and fell just short of winning the franchise’s only championship.

The team is ready to run it back and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl once again but first up, they have to get through training camp.

One thing needs to be said here and that’s that this is only practice. We’ll know more about the team and where certain players stand when the preseason games get underway next weekend. For now, all we can go off of is what we hear from the media and see on social media.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the Bengals who are ‘hot’ and the Bengals who are ‘not’ after one week of training camp.

All stats courtesy of ESPN

Hot: Evan McPherson

This is an easy one. After mixed reviews from the fans when the team spent a fifth-round pick on Evan McPherson, the rookie went on to become one of the most well-known kickers in the league for what he was able to accomplish during the 2021 season.

McPherson has seemingly picked up where he left off from a season ago and nailed a 65-yard field goal on Saturday that looked like it’d have been good from 70 yards out. The kid is sensational and while there’s reason to believe he could have a sophomore slump in 2022, he’s showing no signs of slowing down in camp.

Not: La’el Collins

Fans were rightfully ecstatic when the Bengals were able to sign La’el Collins after the Cowboys released him over the offseason. It was a huge get for the team considering their need to upgrade the offensive line and him being the perfect fit for them at right tackle.

Well, even with Collins joining the reigning AFC champions, he’s yet to take a snap with them in training camp due to a back injury. While Zac Taylor has said that Collins is day-to-day, it’s been a bummer not to see him on the field. He was arguably the most exciting free agent addition this offseason and not seeing him in action is unfortunate.