Cincinnati Bengals: Players to watch in Preseason Week 4

Here are a few Cincinnati Bengals players to watch in the team’s final preseason game of 2018 versus the Indianapolis Colts as guys fight for roster spots.

The 2018 preseason is just about at a close. For the most part, much of the upcoming cutdowns to the season-opening 53 man roster have essentially been made. Still, there are key spots towards the back end of the Cincinnati Bengals roster which must be determined.

For this final preseason game, where we have Cincinnati playing against the Indianapolis Colts — a team they just so happen to play to open the regular season.

Let’s see who you should keep an eye on in this matchup.

* = On The Bubble; ** = Returning From Injury; *** = Bigger Role

LB Hardy Nickerson

The linebacker spot for Cincinnati is yet again a space in need of clear answers. They have numerous possible ones, but the depth is quite unproven. The issues are further exacerbated by the fact that the leader of the unit (Vontaze Burfict) will be missing four games due to suspension to start the year.

With Burfict out of commission, the entire lineup at the position is thrown into chaos. Past Burfict, there are a few roster locks at this point: offseason acquisition Preston Brown, Nick Vigil, Jordan Evans, and 2018 third-round selection Malik Jefferson. Vincent Rey is also probably there as well, leaving probably just enough room for one more linebacker as we enter the year.

There’s plenty of competition for that roster spot, with Nickerson and Brandon Bell the main components of that battle. Each offers a decent backup option at linebacker for Cincinnati: Nickerson uses his high energy to make plays, while Bell brings a decisive level of physicality to the table. Both can step in decently when called upon, and contribute on special teams if not necessarily needed for the defensive snaps in a given contest.

Last season, Nickerson was given the edge over Bell in the same competition at this position, picking up 18 tackles and a pass knockdown in 158 snaps while being active for 14 regular season games.

Bell only came on once injuries decimated the position at the end of the year, but he played a key role as Cincinnati ended the season with victories over Detroit and Baltimore which may have kept both teams out of the playoffs (Bell’s 2017 stats: 10 tackles across 36 snaps while being active for three games).

This preseason, the battle for a roster spot is perhaps even closer. Bell has taken 82 snaps in three preseason games while Nickerson has been out there for 79, with both having at least 22 snaps each game and one contest with 30+. Between the two, there are five efforts out of six with at least four tackles. Each has a stat which leans in their favor: Nickerson has an advantage in tackles (15 to 10), while Bell has garnered a pass knockdown and picked off a pass.

Despite the turnover Bell forced, it seems Nickerson may have the slight edge in the pecking order for now. That can change quickly if Bell outplays him against Indianapolis though. To assure himself a spot in the final 53, one more effort like what Nickerson has shown throughout the first three preseason contests may be needed.