CINCINNATI – After getting the best of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals offense on Monday, Lou Anarumo’s defense had another successful, fun day today against the Indianapolis Colts.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had an erratic practice, missing several throws badly while struggling to find receivers on other plays and electing to tuck the ball and run.
“Throw the damn ball, bro,” Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill yelled to Richardson at one point.
Bengals Defense Feasts on Young Colts QB’s Inaccuracy
A few plays earlier, a Richardson pass about 15 yards down the field skidded into the grass with no one around.
“He’s just throwin’ to spots,” Cincinnati safety Geno Stone yelled. “He don’t throw to receivers.”
Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft who only played four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, went 1-for-4 during his series in 11-on-11 work, with the lone completion coming on a screen that cornerback Mike Hilton sniffed out for no gain.
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In an 11-on-11 period of third downs, Richardson again went 1-for-4, with the only completion coming on the first play when Hilton blitzed off the slot and the quarterback found Michael Pittman Jr. for a first down.
When the practice moved into the red zone, Richardson’s first pass was deflected by Cam Taylor-Britt and intercepted by Logan Wilson.
In red zone 11s, Bengals pick off AR’s first pass. Cam Taylor-Britt gets the PBU in coverage on Michael Pittman, and Logan Wilson makes diving interception.
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) August 20, 2024
Richardson was a combined 5-for-13 in the first three 11-on-11 periods.
“It was good. Guys were flying around making plays,” safety Vonn Bell said. “Against mobile quarterbacks, it’s always a task. We were jawing at him a little bit, but it was good. We were making plays on the ball when (passes) were happening.”
Injury Report
Defensive end Myles Murphy left practice on a cart. He went down on a running play that he had appeared to have blown up. When the Indianapolis back reversed field, Murphy reached for him and went down, grabbing his knee.
Head coach Zac Taylor said after practice it was too early to give an assessment.
Defensive end Sam Hubbard continues to work his way back, participating in individual drills for the second day in a row.
Wide receiver Charlie Jones was a full participant for the second day in a row.
Linebacker Joe Bachie (undisclosed) missed his second consecutive practice, while linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither returned after sitting out Monday.
Trent Brown split time with Cody Ford and Jaxson Kirkland at right tackle, similar to what he did in the joint practice at Chicago when he reported tightness in his lower back. Taylor said the rotation was the plan going into the practice.
Bengals Ring of Honor inductee Willie Anderson could have stepped in had things gone further sideways at right tackle for the team. Anderson was in attendance at practice with former offensive line coach Paul Alexander.
Willie Anderson and Paul Alexander taking in the joint practice with the Colts pic.twitter.com/XzGp72lxRC
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) August 20, 2024
Rookie third-round pick McKinnley Jackson is no longer using crutches to get around but is still wearing a large brace on his right knee.
Quarterback Report
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went 5-for-6 in 7-on-7 work, throwing touchdown passes to wide receiver Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesicki.
Gesicki was one of Burrow’s favorite targets in 11-on-11 drills, going to him four times, one of which the tight end snared with one hand.
Burrow finished 21 of 26 with one interception by Indianapolis cornerback Jaylon Jones.
His day ended in frustration as the Colts held the Bengals to a four-and-out in a one-minute drill, “sacking” Burrow on the final play.
Stock Rising
It obviously was injury-related, but Jaxson Kirkland getting first-team reps in a joint practice this late in camp makes the 2023 undrafted college free agent a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster.
Dax Hill continues to stack days and has all but sewn up his battle with DJ Turner II for the starting cornerback job.
Stock Falling
Though he made one of the most impressive pass breakups of the day, cornerback Jalen Davis got beat on multiple plays. And the Bengals have moved him to an outside cornerback spot to get rookie Josh Newton more snaps in the slot.
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Allan George isn’t going to make the 53-man roster, but it would be a stunner if he’s not on the practice squad. He’d be the first corner promoted if there is an injury.
His stock isn’t really falling, but he had a play that will bug him the rest of the night when he dropped a Joe Flacco pass in the end zone, negating what would have been an easy interception.
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