Story perspectives

Bengals revamp defense; injuries sideline Falcons, Saints

7/30/2026

Summary

Chase Facemask Fight

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase fought cornerback Jalen Davis in a facemask-to-facemask collision at camp.
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed practice after head coach Kevin Stefanski reported a back-tightness flare-up.
Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is likely out for the season after an injury, according to analyst Kellen Moore.

Summary

Burrow Drives Overhaul

Joe Burrow helped drive the franchise’s most expensive offseason, a front-office overhaul aimed at reshaping the roster.
Joe Burrow said the locker-room’s “urgency” requires intensity from Day 1 through Day 20 to succeed.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher wants more under-center and play-action plays to make the run game more explosive.
Head coach Zac Taylor praised Joe Burrow’s willingness to embrace new concepts and take extra reps without pushback.

Summary

Bengals Defense Revamp

The Cincinnati Bengals overhauled their defense after the 2025 season, signing three free agents and acquiring Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence II.
In 2025 the defense ranked 30th in points allowed (492) and 31st in yards (6,475).
The offseason additions were defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger.
Coaches expect the new competition to lift the unit into the top-10 by 2026.

History

Historical Context

In 2000 the Baltimore Ravens built a record-setting defense that allowed only 165 points—the fewest in a 16-game season—and won Super Bowl XXXV. That run-stopping model, highlighted by Ray Lewis’s Defensive Player of the Year award, has become a template for later rebuilds. Echoing it, the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals added Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe to revive their defense.

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Chase Facemask Fight

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase fought cornerback Jalen Davis in a facemask-to-facemask collision at camp.
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed practice after head coach Kevin Stefanski reported a back-tightness flare-up.
Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is likely out for the season after an injury, according to analyst Kellen Moore.

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