The Bengals Special Teams Standard Just Got Higher...

The Bengals special team standard just got higher with this key contributor being recognized for excellent performance through three weeks as well as some injury updates to key players ahead of Sunday. We're diving into all of it ahead of Sunday's matchup versus the Jaguars, the Battle of the Cats. By the way, first time in NFL history that four cat teams are facing each other where the Panthers are also taking on the Lions. So like, you know, the feline Super Bowl, whatever you want to call it. I've been seeing that all over X. But thank you guys for joining us here today on Bengals Digest. We really appreciate you tuning in wherever you may be. And we've got a lot to dive into today. So be sure to stick around till the very end of today's video as we have a key matchup this week with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's not going to be an easy one guys. I think this is probably the toughest opponent that we have had to face up to this point in this season. And it's it's going to get a little bit tougher as the season goes on. But this is a team that has looked very, very good on all sides of the football through three weeks. So big news to start looking at the injury updates for this week. So we've got Jonathan Allen there at the top alongside Jordan Battle. Jonathan Allen did not participate in today's or in yesterday's practice. Limited participant in Jordan Battle. Swayze Bozeman was limited in practice today. And then some familiar ones that we saw yesterday. Brian Cook, Kyle Duggar, BJ Hill, Dalton Reisner all did not participate in practice. DJ Turner was a limited participant. And of course, Colby Young did not participate. So the way that it's looking right now, I mean, the Bengals are even with the injuries that they've taken, they are actually still favored in this game. As you can see there on Cal sheet, 57% chance. That's what everybody's picking. That's what they're thinking is it is going to win this game. They're thinking it's going to be a Bengals win. And I'm going to go ahead and tail that right now with $25 for a payout of $41.86. Be sure to get in on this action. Cannot miss out on that. And on Cal sheet, you're trading directly against other users. It's not the house like a traditional sports book. So you're buying yes or no contracts on real life events like the weather, politics, or NFL games. You could even make some other picks projections for the Superbowl, things like that. And if you're interested in trying it out, be sure to click the link in the description as well as the pin comment down below and use code digest NFL there on your screen right now to get $55 added to your account instantly when you trade your first 25 on Cal sheet. So we look at some of the Jags injuries as well, because I think it's important to mention some of these key players that they're going to be missing. Of course, notably Jacoby Myers on the offensive side, pretty banged up at corner right now. And then also two defensive tackles, limited participants. It's looking like some of these guys might end up playing, but we'll just have to wait and see. But a good thing to look at nonetheless. But we get to the big news of today talking about a player that we don't give enough recognition on this channel and the media just doesn't recognize enough. Let's be honest. Evan McPherson has been balling. He's been balling for a long time in his career, but up to this point in the season, looking very solid three games played a hundred percent field goal percentage eight for eight there on the season. And you look at the career that he's had. I mean, the numbers don't lie. You see the duplicates there. Don't mind that. But looking other than the one year in 2024, where he had that groin injury. I mean, he has just been an excellent kicker his entire career, pretty much remaining above 80 percent 2025 closer to 90. Of course, taking that hit in 2024, but that's probably due to the lack of games that he played. So with all that being said, in case you missed it, Evan McPherson for the second time in his career was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month. Very, very well deserved there. And I mean, I just don't even know what to say. Even his coach, Graham, sorry, was blanking on the first name. Shane Graham, former Pro Bowl kicker for the Bengals. Even as a coach, he's like, look, I don't have anything to say. I don't have anything to coach him with. I mean, McPherson just balls out. He's a better kicker than me. He looks great. And you look at the numbers across his career, and we just got to give the man some props. Just from this year, five field goals made from 50 plus yards, longest field goal made of 58 yards. He's eight for eight on field goals, eight for eight on extra points. And he's a second time now AFC Special Teams Player of the Month winner. And to top it all off, he is about to break the Bengals record for 21 consecutive field goals made. He's currently at 20, and he could do it in this game. I don't want to jinx him too much. Hopefully the announcers don't bring that up on Sunday. Hopefully he doesn't see this video, you know, if he didn't already know. But very, very, just credit where credit's due on Evan McPherson. Money Mac is just balling. He is a guy who wins games for us, and we cannot be more grateful to have him on the team. I mean, having an elite kicker like that is just, it sets you, it just eliminates one worry, one stress from every single game. So touching back on the injuries suffered, as we talked about, we look at right now, Zach Taylor reporting on the injuries, Brian Cook and Dalton Reisner, he said we'll see on those. For DJ Turner and Jordan Battle, he said they're good to go. Looks like they are going to be playing Sunday. And then Kyle Duggar was ruled out for Sunday's game. So, little bit of news, little bit of updates there. Brian Cook and Reisner, that one stings a little bit, especially on the Reisner front because this, like I said earlier, this Jaguars team is a force to be reckoned with right now. They're playing very good football, and even on the defensive side, this is a little bit rocky for this offensive line. I mean, Dalton Reisner has looked good up to this point, you know, had a couple issues, couple errors here and there. But as of right now, his backup is listed as Jacob Bayer. And, you know, for a backup, decent option. But I mean, I'm a little bit worried about the depth here on this offensive line. I'm wondering if they're going to call someone up as well ahead of Sunday, depending on his status as the week progresses. But very curious. I would probably feel more comfortable even bringing in like Jalen Rivers over on the right side instead of coming in, instead of Jacob Bayer coming in. I don't love the way it looks right now if Dalton Reisner doesn't play. I mean, that defensive line is scary, especially on the edge, which, you know, Orlando Brown and Amarius Mims are mainly going to have to deal with. But, you know, when you talk about double teams, pulling guards, whatever, Dalton Reisner being questionable is a little bit of a scary note. But, you know, the way the depth chart looks right now, who knows? It looks like Bayer is going to be his backup for the time being. And speaking of backups, we talk about, just to bring it up to you guys, Keyshawn Williams, I made a video about him a couple days ago. Obviously, we know he was cut after Sunday's game. Costly fumble. He was cut. Well, in terms of the injuries that we've looked at, you know, of course, Colby Young being out for this week's game. And, you know, depending on how the rest of the wide receiver room looks, of course, we know Yoshi is out as well. They brought in Mitch Tinsley. They still have Dante Myers, but it looks like Keyshawn might be getting a call back. Very curious. I mean, I know that this isn't the first time the Bengals have done something like this, but that was just kind of a head scratcher to cut him. And then in the same week, just bring him back onto the practice squad. Not really sure what the deal is there. Maybe it's some financial things behind the lines that I'm not aware of, but very, very curious on that. But I did want to bring that to your guys' attention there. So, and speaking of another random news fact, another thing to get into today, just to bring to your guys' attention, kind of brings a smile to my face. Not going to lie. I'm sure it'll do the same for some of you guys in case you didn't see. Apparently, Ravens' outside linebacker edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, a familiar name, obviously, we know he was with the Bengals last season, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans. Hendrickson had a procedure on his finger, coach Minter said. And then Ian Rappaport came up and said, with a bone broken into a few pieces, surgery to repair makes sense. So, I know it's not Bengals related, but he is a divisional opponent and they might not have to face him the first time they play the Ravens. So, I don't know. I don't know what this means. I'm not preying on his injury news or anything, but in terms of the injury history that he has, it's probably for the better if we didn't already think so, that the Bengals did end up getting rid of Trey Hendrickson and not signing him. Now, rounding out today's video, I know I've kind of been all over the place today, a lot of different pieces of info, but I did just want to bring you guys this last quote from Zach Taylor, talking about the Jacksonville Jaguars. He says, they challenge you in all three phases. They're well coached, got a lot of good players on defense, basically return everybody on offense. I think Trevor's playing really good right now. All the things when two teams are playing turnover battle, all that stuff is going to matter in a game like this. And the turnover battle, I think is the biggest thing the Bengals really need to take advantage of and win in this game in order for them to have success. So, drop your score predictions down below. As we get a little bit closer, I want to see some more score predictions. Definitely going to be asking for those, but some early ones, let me know. Do you think maybe just win or lose? Do you guys see the Bengals winning this one? I personally think it's going to be a tough game. I think it's the toughest opponent they've played up to this point, but I think they can do it. I think they can pull it out and Money Mac might have to bring us home. Might have to bring us home with that consecutive streak, breaking the record in the game and then sealing the game off. Could be a pretty good story for the script writers. That's all I'm going to say. With all that being said, thank you guys for joining us here today on Bengals Digest.