We don't know how long Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor plans on playing his starters against the Detroit Lions this Thursday, but we do know that we'll be seeing some key Bengals on the field in the first quarter.
Taylor confirmed on Tuesday that Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Dexter Lawrence will all play on Thursday night, but obviously, they'll likely be pulled after a few drives. Getting into a game day cadence is important for Cincinnati with so many injuries having ravaged their depth on both ends of the field, so that could explain Taylor's decision to play these guys at all.
Even with a few snaps against the newly-acquired Lawrence, the Lions will get a good idea of how their new-look offensive line will and can hold up against a powerful pass rusher.
Lions O-line getting first real test against Lawrence in Bengals game
Detroit plans on playing rookie Blake Miller on Thursday, but they will not be tossing Jared Goff into harm's way with a start in this contest. Miller, along with a few other potential starters on the line aside from likely Penei Sewell, will be working to protect one of Luke Altmyer or Josh Dobbs against Lawrence to kick off this game.
Lawrence finished up his 2025 season with just a half sack, 31 total tackles, four passes defended, one pick, and seven stuffs. He was a far more disruptive sack artist prior to last year, though, posting nine sacks for the New York Giants in 2024 in just nine games.
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Cincinnati has been missing some pop from their defensive line for a while, and they're hoping to get that back from Lawrence. Their offense is fairly potent with Chase and Higgins their ultra-reliable one-two punch receiving corp, but their defense is hardly ever able to back them up.
Detroit's cornerback room will be getting tested early with those two running routes in this game, although it sounds like injury will keep D.J. Reed out. So, expect to see a ton of reps from Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and rookie Keith Abney II as outside corners.
Whiteside can especially boost his stock with a big showing against the Bengals, as he just can't stop making plays in training camp as he pushes Ya-Sin for a starting job in the Lions' defense.
But, this is really a game to watch the Lions' O-line - especially their center room. With Cade Mays out for some time, it'll be interesting to see who the Lions are rotating in and out of the position throughout this game as a means of testing out their future Week 1 replacement starter.
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