Bengals Prioritize Early-Season Momentum Over Injury Risk

As the 2025 NFL preseason kicks off, the Cincinnati Bengals are taking a unique approach compared to many other teams. Head coach Zac Taylor has announced that the team's starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, will see "several series" of action in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

This decision marks a departure from the recent trend of teams using the preseason to evaluate depth players while limiting exposure for their top stars. The Bengals, however, are prioritizing early-season momentum over the potential injury risk. Taylor implied that the starters will likely see similar workloads in the second preseason game against the Washington Commanders.

The Bengals are coming off a season that "didn't quite go as planned," according to the article, and they are determined to hit the ground running in 2025. While this approach makes sense from a competitive standpoint, it also increases the chances of a key player like Burrow or Chase suffering a preseason injury that could derail the team's Super Bowl aspirations.

The article acknowledges the "necessary evil" of injuries in the regular season, but notes that the preseason provides teams with the opportunity to protect their stars. However, the Bengals have chosen to forgo that option, putting their faith in the belief that a strong start to the year will outweigh the added risk.