All eyes are on the Cincinnati Bengals and their game against the Indianapolis Colts as the NFL preseason enters its final week.
The key question fans have been asking: Will Joe Burrow and the starters play Saturday?
Will Bengals Starters Play in Final Preseason Game?
The short answer: not this time.
Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Wednesday that the Bengals’ starters, including Burrow, will rest for the preseason finale. After seeing action in the first two games, the starters have already had enough opportunities to shake off rust and get back into midseason form. Taylor’s decision isn’t just about keeping stars healthy; it’s about giving younger and backup players a real chance to prove they belong on the 53-man roster.
The starters played in the first two games for a reason. Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest of the offense needed live reps to avoid the slow starts that have plagued Cincinnati in recent seasons. And they delivered. Burrow went 18 of 24 for 185 yards and three touchdowns, and the team scored on four of five drives. In short, the starters looked sharp, and there’s little reason to risk them in a game that doesn’t count in the standings.
Joe Burrow on five preseason drives this year:
18-of-24
185 yards
3 touchdownsCincinnati scored a TD on 4 of those 5 drives.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 19, 2025
Now, the focus shifts to players still vying for roster spots. Fans can expect defensive players, running backs, backup quarterbacks, and young receivers to see more significant playing time. They have the chance to make an impact, give coaches confidence heading into Week 1, and show they can perform under pressure.
Cincinnati Expectations Heading Into the 2025 Season
The Bengals are coming off a 9-8 season in 2024, and another slow start was the main reason the starters played the first two preseason games. Despite missing the playoffs, expectations are high again in 2025. But this game is more about the depth chart and ensuring the team enters the season with the right players to succeed.
Taylor takes a balanced approach: let the rest of the roster take over while protecting the stars, but play starters enough to prevent sluggish starts. With this plan, which prioritizes preparation and caution, fans don’t have to worry about needless injuries to the team’s most valuable players.
As Burrow and the starters watch from the sidelines, Bengals fans can look for who else might step forward. In the NFL, role players who deliver when their number is called are just as important as stars. And those players will finally get their chance to shine Saturday.
