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The Cincinnati Bengals open training camp July 29, and they won’t waste any time in the personnel evaluation process.
With the Bengals’ first preseason contest fast-approaching Aug. 13, and the regular season opener close behind on Sept. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the process of culling the camp roster down to 53 players and a practice squad will begin immediately.
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At stake is a 2026 campaign in which Cincinnati has desires of reestablishing itself as a playoff and AFC North contender after missing the postseason the last three years and bottoming out last year via a 6-11 record.
The Bengals’ draft class has been praised, as was the trade acquisition of interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. There were notable free-agents brought in to buoy the defensive side of the ball, and Cincinnati kept its entire starting offensive line together. Some think it’s the best line of the Joe Burrow era (although that’s not a high bar to clear).
Newly signed Cincinnati Bengals defense tackle Dexter Lawrence speaks in a press conference for the first time since joining the team at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Should Burrow end up injured for any period of time, the Bengals also retained Joe Flacco as a backup quarterback following his highly productive stint under center during Burrow’s absence last season.
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Here is the projected 53-man roster before training camp starts:
Bengals quarterbacks
(Two): Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco.
Bengals running backs
(Three): Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks.
Bengals wide receivers
(Six): Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young, Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones.
Bengals tight ends
(Four): Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr., Tanner Hudson.
Bengals offensive line
(Nine): Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner, Amarius Mims, Cody Ford, Jalen Rivers, Brian Parker II, Connor Lew.
Bengals defensive line
(11): Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, T.J. Slaton Jr., Shemar Stewart, Cashius Howell, Kris Jenkins Jr., Cedric Johnson, Landon Robinson.
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Bengals linebackers
(Five): Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks, Shaka Heyward, Joe Giles-Harris.
Bengals cornerbacks
(Six): DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, Jalen Davis, Tacario Davis, Josh Newton, Bralyn Lux.
Bengals safeties
(Four): Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, PJ Jules.
Bengals specialists
(Three): K Evan McPherson, P Ryan Rehkow, LS William Wagner.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Check out our Bengals 53-man roster projection as training camp begins
