2018 ScheduleAll times ET

2018 Schedule

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

A Bengals source said the team wasn't happy with how George Iloka played last year, which was pretty clear when they tried to pursue Kurt Coleman at the NFL combine. The Bengals went after him hard but he signed with the Saints. A source told me the Bengals indicated the move was for financial reasons, but as for the timing, it's obvious they like what they see in Jessie Bates, which is why he was subbing in for Iloka with the first team during Saturday's preseason game.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

The Bengals are releasing George Iloka, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

If you're in need of a bright spot from the Bengals 21-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys, you're probably not going to find it from the first-team offense. Andy Dalton went 5-of-7 for 41 yards, and the Bengals didn't get an early running game going, and the Bengals' first half possessions went: punt, punt, punt, fumble, punt, interception. The Bengals are struggling to find suitable starters on the right side of the offensive line. However, there are certainly some positives from the young defensive line players, including Carl Lawson, Andrew Billings, Sam Hubbard and Jordan Willis, who combined for four sacks.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

Notable inactive tonight are WR Cody Core, who hasn't practiced the last few days, LB Vontaze Burfict, who left practice earlier in the week with an apparent ankle injury and hasn't returned, and LB Vinny Rey, who sprained his ankle in last week's game. Tyler Eifert isn't on this list but is unlikely to play. This doesn't help Core's chances to make the team.

The Daltons thank Buffalo with donation to local hospital (1:00)
John Grieshop/Getty Images
4dKatherine Terrell

Dalton, wife thank Bills fans with big hospital gift

Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, announced Thursday that they will repay Bills fans who flooded their foundation with donations after the Bengals' QB saved their 2017 season by donating to the pediatric wing of the Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

Bengals DE Carl Lawson has been mostly used in nickel formations during training camp, so what coach Marvin Lewis had to say about him wasn't a surprise. He indicated that Lawson is not going to be an every-down DE. Lewis said: “The biggest thing that was true for Carl at Auburn, and still continues here in the NFL after his first season, is that by limiting his exposure, we're going to get more production. He's not that big of a person and so to go out and bang with the big guys all the time is not going to be beneficial to him, and what he's going to get done at the end of the game when you need him to.”

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

There's a lot to like about this Bengals' offense. Outside of an Andy Dalton pick-six that could be attributed to John Ross slipping on his route, the first-team offense impressed. Joe Mixon broke two tackles and spun around for a touchdown, A.J. Green was his usual impresive self, and young receivers like Ross, Tyler Boyd and Josh Malone showed there are a lot of possibilities for this team to right the ship after being one of the worst offenses in the league last year. Don't count out seventh round pick Auden Tate, who flashed serious potential in the fourth quarter of the game when making a contested touchdown pass.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

Not expected to play for the Bengals tonight: Vontaze Burfict, Tony McRae, Sojourn Shelton, Josh Tupou and Andrew Brown

Sam Greene/The Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
11dKatherine Terrell

Inside the film room: What the tape shows Marvin Lewis

The Bengals' head coach takes us through evaluating a training camp practice, where the emphasis is on finding young players with potential.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

Marvin Lewis said Vontaze Burfict won't play in Thursday's preseason game. He pointed out that he's played in a regular season game off just a few practices, but doesn't feel it's a necessity that he plays this week. He declined to comment on Tyler Eifert.

Katherine Terrell ESPN Staff Writer 

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict said the difference between this year's defense and last year is how people communicate: "I feel like this year a lot of guys are really getting along," he said. "Everyone is talking. There's not different groups that don't hang out with each other. Everybody is honestly in the same circle and we're closer this year. That will help us in the long run ... It (will) hinder us from doing finger-pointing when somebody messes up. It will be more like, 'Come on let's get it right next time.' Stuff like that."

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