Bengals head coach Zac Taylor plans to play quarterback Joe Burrow and the rest of his starters for a good portion of the first quarter in the second preseason game Monday night (8-ESPN) in Washington.
Before Saturday's practice, Taylor said he would play the starters in "similar," fashion to the Aug. 7 preseason opener in Philadelphia, when Burrow and the offense racked up two touchdowns in the game's first 12 and a half minutes.
The indication is first-rounder Shemar Stewart is on track to make his first NFL start on the edge against the Commanders. Taylor said the plan is to work Stewart with the Ones. He also said starting edge Myles Murphy won't play, but he sees Murphy being out for only "a week-ish," timeline. Safety Geno Stone will also not play Monday.
Taylor also said:
_Tight end Noah Fant makes his Bengals debut while tight end Mike Gesicki sits out a second straight game. Also out is second-team left guard Cordell Volson, who appeared to injure a shoulder in Friday's practice.
_Cornerback DJ Turner II is questionable and so is wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Taylor said he's hoping to get a more definitive status on Burton on Saturday.
_Cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill, who didn't play in Philly, look primed to play. Both have had good camps, and Taylor says he'd like to see them play.
_Taylor says he's looking for less sloppy play and doesn't want a repeat of the "foolish things," he saw in the opener, such as pre- and post-snap penalties.
_This is about the time of the preseason the Bengals have been preparing for at least one joint practice with a team. Taylor ditched that this year, and he said Saturday he already knows he made the right decision because they've spent more time on internal items this week rather than game-planning.
_Taylor said he has yet to decide if he'll play the starters in the Aug. 23 preseason finale against the Colts at Paycor Stadium.
