Bengals release lineup for Week 1 against Patriots

The Cincinnati Bengals have survived training camp and preseason and are now setting their sights on Sunday's season opener against the New England Patriots.

Given the battles for key positions in training camp, we were all eagerly awaiting the first squad list of the season, which is now available.

There weren't many surprises on offense. The offensive line returns four starters from 2023, with veteran Trent Brown being preferred over rookie right tackle Amarius Mims. Even before Mims' pectoral injury, many had projected Brown to start the season at least as the anchor on the right side.

Tyler Boyd has been listed as the third wide receiver for the past few seasons, but he has moved on to Tennessee, paving the way for Princeton sophomore Andrei Iosivas to take on a larger role.

Evidence from training camp suggests that Zack Moss and Chase Brown will share the running back role, but Moss is listed as the starter before Week 1. Moss was the starter for the Indianapolis Colts for four weeks last season, filling in for the injured Jonathan Taylor. During that time, Moss led the NFL in rushing.

At tight end, familiar face Drew Sample is listed as the starting tight end ahead of new addition Mike Gesicki. Gesicki has spent a lot of time in the slot or on the wing in his career, so he will still see a lot of time on the field regardless of position on the depth chart.

On defense, the Bengals had to endure a lot of player changes in the 2023 unit, which had major problems.

A battle that most of us closely followed in training camp appears to have come to an end, as converted safety Dax Hill claimed the starting cornerback spot opposite Cam Taylor-Britt. Hill battled with his former University of Michigan teammate DJ Turner II for the second cornerback spot and has shown the coaches enough to earn the starting spot on Sunday.

Hill's vacant free safety spot is filled by free agent signee Geno Stone, and the return of veteran Vonn Bell puts him back in the starting strong safety position despite Jordan Battle's impressive rookie season. Lou Anarumo likes to get creative with defensive backs, so you can expect to see a lot of Battle this season.

Newly signed Sheldon Rankins starts at defensive tackle alongside BJ Hill. Hill has been in a rotation role with the Bengals since joining the team in 2021. Now in his contract year, he is expected to be the primary run stopper in the middle of the Bengals' defensive line. Rankins brings a pass rush inside that the Bengals have sorely missed.

The defensive ends remain the same, with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard back to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Joseph Ossai will be back behind Hendrickson on the right side, Cedric Johnson behind Hubbard on the left side while Myles Murphy recovers from his injury.

Specialists Cal Adomitis and Evan McPherson return as long snapper and kicker, respectively. Ryan Rehkow will be the team's primary punter and field goal holder. Rehkow battled incumbent Brad Robbins all preseason until a hip flexor handed the job to Rehkow, at least until Robbins returns.

Charlie Jones is healthy and will return as the primary punt returner, with Chase Brown and Trayveon Williams as the two defensive players for kickoff returns.

The squad is set, the lineup is finalized and there is only one thing left to do: BEAT THE PATRIOTS!

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