Cincinnati Bengals fans eagerly anticipating a chance to see the team’s starting lineup take the field for their preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, August 22, will be met with disappointment. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has confirmed that the team’s starters will not be participating in the game. Taylor made it clear that the first-team players will not see action, stating simply, “I don’t,” when asked if he anticipated playing any of the starters.
While this decision might be a letdown for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Bengals’ top talent before the regular season, it’s not particularly surprising. The primary objective of the preseason is to give younger and less experienced players valuable playing time. The Bengals’ strategy of resting their starters aligns with this goal.
Additionally, the starters had some playing time during the Bengals’ initial preseason game of 2024, a close 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the regular season opener against the New England Patriots slated for Sunday, September 8, the team appears to be prioritizing the health and readiness of their key players over additional preseason exposure.
In contrast, the Colts are planning a different approach for their preseason finale. According to Colts head coach Shane Steichen, the Colts will feature their starters, including rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, for a portion of the game. Steichen emphasized the importance of getting his key players some game-time experience before the season begins. “Some guys might play less, some guys might play more, but we want to get those guys out there and run around on Thursday night,” Steichen said.
He noted that while it is crucial to manage player workload to avoid injuries, the upcoming game serves as an essential opportunity to prepare for the regular season. “After this Thursday night, we have 17 days until we kick off against Houston, so this is a big day,” Steichen explained. “We’ve got to get the players ready to roll and get that game-like experience before Week 1 gets here.”
This decision by the Bengals to rest their starters while the Colts deploy theirs is the second consecutive exhibition in which Cincinnati has opted for a cautious approach. The previous week, in their game against the Chicago Bears, the Bengals’ starters were benched, whereas the Bears’ first unit played throughout the first half, leading to a decisive 27-3 victory for Chicago.
The debate over whether to play starters in the preseason or rest them is one that continues to divide opinions. On one hand, additional reps in preseason games can help starters build chemistry and fine-tune their performance. On the other hand, the risk of injury in what is ultimately a non-critical game often outweighs the benefits of extra playing time. Coaches must weigh these factors carefully, and there is no universally correct strategy. The Bengals’ decision to sit their starters and the Colts’ choice to feature theirs in their respective preseason finales highlight the differing philosophies teams adopt as they prepare for the regular season.
In the end, the Bengals and Colts will showcase two contrasting approaches in their preseason contest, offering fans a chance to observe how different strategies play out as teams finalize their preparations for the upcoming NFL season.
