gg2
Bengals news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Bengals open the 2026 season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Cincinnati's rebuilt defense and Joe Burrow's supporting cast face their first real test.
Background
Cincinnati overhauled its defense in the offseason, a makeover that culminated when players voted in three new defensive captains for 2026. Among them are Dexter Lawrence, acquired in a trade for the Bengals' No. 10 draft pick, and Bryan Cook, a Cincinnati native billed as free agency's top safety. The opener is the team's annual Open In Orange game at Paycor Stadium.
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 2026Bengals announce 2026 team captains: defensive captains CB DJ Turner II, DT Dexter Lawrence II and S Bryan Cook; offensive captains QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja'Marr Chase and C Ted Karras; K Evan McPherson special teams captain.
- Sep 9, 2026Injury report: DT Jonathan Allen (rest) and DT Dexter Lawrence (rest) did not practice; DT B.J. Hill (rest) and CB D.J. Turner II (hamstring) were limited; WR Ja'Marr Chase (knee), WR Tee Higgins (foot) and DE Shemar Stewart (knee) were full participants.
- Sep 10, 2026CB DJ Turner II pops up with a hamstring injury; Ja'Marr Chase (knee) and Tee Higgins (foot) log full practice; Shemar Stewart goes limited along with Turner.
- Sep 11, 2026Injury report: DT Dexter Lawrence (rest) DNP, CB D.J. Turner II (hamstring) LP, WR Ja'Marr Chase (knee) DNP, WR Tee Higgins (foot) FP, DE Shemar Stewart (knee) DNP, game status Doubtful.
- Sep 11, 2026Head coach Zac Taylor says WRs Ja'Marr Chase (knee) and Tee Higgins (heel) are on track to play in Sunday's opener and he won't rule out DE Shemar Stewart (knee) from being full go against Tampa Bay at Paycor Stadium.
- Sep 11, 2026Bengals vs. Buccaneers injury report: DJ Turner good to go; Shemar Stewart and Jalen McMillan doubtful.
- Sep 12, 2026Former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reveals his AFC North favorite.
- Sep 13, 2026Buccaneers vs. Bengals Week 1 game scheduled.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Head coach Zac Taylor said WRs Ja'Marr Chase (knee) and Tee Higgins (heel) are on track to play in Sunday's opener and he won't rule out DE Shemar Stewart (knee) from being full go against Tampa Bay.
- Party
- New defensive captain DJ Turner II said he has been a captain on every team he has ever been on, from high school to Michigan, and that it is not a new thing for him.
- Analysts
- Former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has a frontrunner for the AFC North this year.
Still unverified
Ja'Marr Chase didn't practice on Friday before the team's Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.