The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Cincinnati Bengals' camp is taking place in Cincinnati, and Bengals reporter Ben Baby has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Bengals camp. We will update this file often. Will Dexter Lawrence II spark a defensive resurgence to get the Bengals back in the playoffs? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
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Saturday, Aug. 1
Have a day, Boye Mafe. The recent Super Bowl winner was disruptive throughout Saturday's practice. He consistently produced pressure against Joe Burrow and the first-team offense, including getting into a passing lane and forcing an interception.
It has continued a good first week for the defense. But Mafe, who helped the Seahawks win the Lombardi Trophy in February with the Seahawks, knows Cincinnati has a long way to go.
"I feel like we're really just setting our standard," Mafe said. "You can't mistake activity for achievement."
More observations:
WR Tee Higgins did not practice today but was a close observer. The team has made it a point to limit his workload to avoid any major soft-tissue injuries, a strategy that worked last season.
Former Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard, who retired after the 2024 season, stopped by Saturday's practice to see his old teammates.
Practice started indoors because of rain but eventually moved to the outdoor fields.
Cornerback DJ Turner had a good pass deflection on a deep ball intended for Ja'Marr Chase. But was notable was the defensive backs making sure to yell "Ball!" to let Turner know the passes was about to arrive. It was an example of the communication the secondary has displayed during the first week of camp.
WR Mitchell Tinsley made a diving catch during a red zone drill that appeared to knock the wind out of him. While he was shaken up a touch, his efforts didn't go unnoticed. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher made it a point to give Tinsley props for the effort.
Friday, July 31
Typically, the Bengals don't practice three days in a row during training camp, but this year, Cincinnati is opening camp with four straight practices. So to break things up, Friday was more of a walk-through as the team managed the workload and tried to avoid major injuries. The Bengals didn't even bring helmets out as they slowed the pace down for a private practice. The team spent a couple of team periods working on red zone drills, which is typically what they do on Fridays during the season.
More observations:
Bengals defensive tackle Jonathan Allen returned to practice after a day off on Thursday.
Dexter Lawrence II didn't participate in Friday's walk-through. But the Pro Bowler has had sterling attendance since the Bengals traded for him ahead of April's draft.
Thursday, July 30
Bengals TE Erick All Jr. is still limited as he comes off an ACL injury that kept him out for all of the 2025 season. But he's already been tested.
Over the offseason, he was hit by a moped in Greece that launched him into the air and scraped his face. But that was the jolt he needed as he looks to return from the injury he sustained during his rookie season.
"It was huge for my confidence," All said. "That did a lot of good things for the mental [health]."
If All is healthy, he could be a big chess piece for a Cincinnati offense looking to be creative in its personnel usage.
Other observations:
Thursday featured a couple of big catches, including one from undrafted rookie Noah Thomas, who leaped and took the ball off cornerback DJ Ivey's back as they wrestled to the ground. It impressed Ja'Marr Chase, who is pleased to have Thomas and Colbie Young, another rookie receiver out of Georgia.
Last year's embattled rookie linebackers had some notable plays. First, Barrett Carter had a tackle for loss in a team drill. Then Demetrius Knight Jr. picked off Joe Burrow in an 11-on-11 drill while lurking in coverage. That's a good sign for a unit with big question marks.
It might have flown under the radar, but rookie Cashius Howell had a really good rep against Cody Ford. Howell won cleanly off the edge with speed while running with the second-string defense.
Wednesday, July 29
Bengals running back Chase Brown is one of the players who could earn a contract extension. And if that happens, quarterback Joe Burrow sounds like he'll be thrilled. He raved about Brown's capabilities as an all-purpose back and advocated for the fourth-year player out of Illinois to be heavily involved in the offense.
"Obviously we're going to try to get the ball in No. 1 (Ja'Marr Chase's) hands as many times as we can," Burrow said. "But I think a close second is Chase Brown just because of how explosive he is and the things he can do with the ball in his hands."
More observations from the day:
DT Dexter Lawrence II was another player who impressed Burrow. "He got back there pretty quick a couple of times," the quarterback said. "We're going to have to get that thing out. Made some blind throws today because of how big he is.
Nearly a year removed from his turf toe injury, Burrow expects to keep playing with a protective plate in his shoe. "The foot feels great," Burrow said. "I'll play with protecting it for the rest of my career, just because why not? You know, I don't want it to happen again, but it feels great."
Tuesday, July 28
King of The Jungle. pic.twitter.com/pTjRq0NmMG
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 28, 2026
Everyone is back in the building. The Bengals officially finished reporting for training camp Tuesday, with the veterans joining the rookies who have been in the building since last Saturday.
Despite some interesting contract situations (CB Dax Hill, CB DJ Turner, RB Chase Brown), there are no projected disruptions for the start of training camp on Wednesday. The only notable absence will be DT B.J. Hill, who starts on the PUP list as he continues to recover from offseason surgery. But the Bengals feel good about Hill being ready for Week 1.