PLAY OF THE DAY

Head coach Zac Taylor

Taylor told a Tuesday news conference that quarterback Joe Burrow and his No. 1 offense plan to play about a quarter in Thursday night's (7:30-Cincinnati's FOX 19) preseason opener in Philadelphia as his plans to break fast in the regular season begin to crystallize.

As a nod to Thursday's game, Taylor cut things back in Tuesday's practice that was pretty much devoted to special teams and individual work. The offense and defense did have one robust team period, but the thoughts were on Thursday.

With Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni using his own news conference to say he has yet to decide which of his defending Super Bowl champions are going to play, Taylor is following through on his offseason tweaks.

That amount of time on the field could change as the game unfolds, but here's something that won't. The starters are going to play the most they've ever played in the preseason during Burrow's six NFL seasons, when they're 7-10-1 in September.

Taylor said they'll play even more in Washington on Aug. 18 in a Monday Nighter on ESPN before no doubt going to the bench for much, if not all, of the Aug. 23 finale at Paycor Stadium against the Colts.

The number to watch is 13. That's the number of snaps Burrow and the first group played last year in the opening series against the Buccaneers, a 12-play touchdown drive (one play was wide receiver Tee Higgins drawing pass interference) for their most work ever in a preseason game and they didn't go again until the opener.

Burrow has been on record for years saying he wants to play more early, and the senior Bengal on the other side of the ball, linebacker Logan Wilson, thinks it helps.

"We're going to get off to a faster start, I know we will. I'm not worried about it," Wilson said. "I've got the confidence in our guys. The way we're building. The guys are going out and executing. The energy on the sidelines. The culture-type things on defense that have been built the right way and help us execute for sure."

Taylor isn't looking at numbers, but feel. So he could play them after two series, or a long one could leak into the second quarter. Thursday is a matter of getting acclimated.

"Game atmosphere. Going on the road like we are Week 1. We do have a road prime time game early in the season, so the lights are on, you're in a road environment, that's great," Taylor said. "As much as we practice it and do it, it's not the same feel. Just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball and all the communication that's got to occur, so it's just a good opportunity to get those guys some additional reps."

PLAYER OF THE DAY

LT Orlando Brown Jr.

Brown, an incumbent captain, is all in on the Ones getting more work. If the Eagles counter with their starters, the Bengals find themselves going against one of the finest defensive lines in the game.

"I think it's good, especially because we're not having any joint practices. As hard as we've been practicing, it will be great to get out there," Brown said. "We've been against each other for two weeks, so it's nice to get ready for another opponent. They've got a good defensive front, a lot of depth. I don't know if we'll see their starters, but we'll have our mind prepared to play against them. Regardless, they've got a really good team with good depth. A great challenge for us right away."

A kind of full circle moment for Brown. He broke two bones in his knee the last time the Bengals played the Eagles, last Oct. 27 in Paycor Stadium, and missed six games before gut-checking the last two for 164 snaps worth.

"I feel good. I'm ready to go," said Brown, who told Bengals.com before camp that he was in "tremendous football shape." He's held up well in pass pro, and hasn't appeared to miss many snaps, if any, during camp.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Bengals Pro Football Hall of Famer and preseason TV analyst Anthony Munoz, all 6-6, after talking to Bengals 6-8 tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims on the sidelines:

"When I grow up I want to be like Mims and OB."

Slants and Screens

Captain and center Ted Karras sees the benefit of playing Thursday. Even if it is against the Eagles' terrific tackle-tandem of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.

"We're just switching things up to make sure we have a better September," Karras said. "Great defense. Well-coached. It's good in preseason to kind of spin the dial and you don't know who you're going to see. That's a learning experience for everyone."

Karras is also going to be easing in rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild in his NFL debut on the road against the world champs. Fairchild is approaching it from a group point of view.

"Get a feel for the game," Fairchild said of his goal Thursday. "It's not even about me personally. I want to operate with those guys and I want to operate at a high level. We're preparing for anything and everything."

Fairchild wants to take his focus into the bright lights and use the same approach he has brought to a solid camp.

"I just want to consistently be consistent. Just keeping level every week, every single day. Every period, every play. That's what it comes down to, to me. Show up as the same guy." …

Zac Taylor can't say enough about this rookie class, and you'll see them all Thursday.

"I think the football IQ and the leadership in this group is outstanding. Top to bottom. We're talking about undrafted guys, too," Taylor said. "This undrafted group is really good. There's been some guys that really caught our attention in this group. So I'm really pleased with the job the scouts did, the work the coaches have put in to bring in this group, because I think it's really made us a better football team." …

On defense, Taylor won't play cornerback Dax Hill Thursday as they continue to be cautious with his ACL comeback. Hill hopes to get to play at some point in the preseason, but Taylor doesn't think it's necessary. He's looked that good.

"I think Dax has had a really good camp with things that we've asked him to do," Taylor said. "We're going to continue to make sure that we're putting him in the best environment to be fully healthy for Cleveland Week 1. I'd love to get to the point where maybe we get him that opportunity, but I don't think that's set in stone that that has to happen." …

Also not playing on the corner with nicks deemed not serious are Cam Taylor-Britt and Marco Wilson …

Get ready for the Tanner Hudson Show at tight end. With Mike Gesicki tweaked and new tight end Noah Fant here less than a week, they won't play Thursday.

"(Gesicki) was optimistic that if we were playing a real game this weekend that he would be able to go. We'll continue to manage him, whether that means we'll gear him back up next week," Taylor said. "We'll be really protective with Mike and it also coincides with Noah getting in the mix here. It's a great opportunity for Noah to get some reps in there and integrate him in the offense and also give Mike a chance to fully recover." …

Right tackle Amarius Mims is playing after a week he's battled some ailments.

"He's good. He's just managing through it," Taylor said. "It'd be different if this was a game week, in terms of how we handle him. There's been times we've been pushing him and pulling him back. But I'm encouraged by everything we're seeing from him." …

Popular Sam Hubbard, the recently retired defensive end, didn't stay away long. He visited Tuesday and had a big smile when he saw Orlando Brown in his old locker, one of the prime ones because it's at the end of a row and nearest the equipment room. And, not to mention, kitty korner to Burrow. That means the defensive and offensive lines flopped rows.

"Zac told me when you retired he was going to switch it up," Brown said as he began his defense.

"Hey," Hubbard said. "I'm honored." ...