The Cincinnati Bengals opened Week 2 of the NFL preseason with a win that felt morelike a warning than a celebration. Cincinnati looked porous defensively without Trey Hendrickson, as Washington’s run game carved through the starting unit from the opening sequence. Hendrickson remains away from practice and sideline in the middle of a contract dispute over guaranteed money, even as he nears a resolution in terms of annual value and length. The Bengals reportedly would guarantee only one year, keeping any long-term guarantees at bay while Hendrickson weighs his options. Joe Burrow signaled deals tend to land late, around Week 1, which aligns with Hendrickson’s timing and the team’s cap calculus. Washington, meanwhile, sat Brian Robinson Jr. for trade-talk reasons, yet the Commanders still executed multiple productive early carries against Cincinnati’s defense. This tug-of-war over guarantees adds a layer of drama to the upcoming season, particularly for fantasy managers who count Hendrickson’s sacks as a cornerstone of their defensive stacks. Hendrickson’s Pro Bowl pedigree and 17.5 sacks last season keep his upside intact, but the holdout introduces volatility at a critical juncture. The developing contract dynamic could shape Cincinnati’s defensive identity and Week 1 readiness, making Hendrickson a high-leverage but high-uncertainty asset for fantasy rosters until a deal lands.

Washington’s backfield is shifting. The Commanders reportedly will not rely on Brian Robinson Jr. in the immediate future as they shop him for a late-round pick, keeping him out of a preseason game to reduce injury risk. The move signals a broader reallocation of touches behind a bruiser-style runner, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols showing per-play efficiency that outpaces Robinson. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has flashed spark and quickness Washington covets at the position, suggesting a committee approach rather than a single workhorse. Ownership duties could tilt toward a multi-faceted attack that leans on zone reads and misdirection, leveraging Ekeler’s versatility and Deebo Samuel’s ball-handling usage in similar spread concepts. Fantasy managers should watch for movement by Robinson, but also the rapid reclamation of Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt as core depth with real-weekly upside. Washington’s roster decisions could redefine ceiling for the 2024 RB group, privileging efficiency, scheme-fit, and the ability to keep workloads manageable across a 16-game slate.

The spotlight on the Commanders-Bengals preseason tilt wasn’t about stars lighting up the scoreboard so much as who didn’t play and what it could mean for rosters and fantasy value. Trey Hendrickson’s hold-in keeps his pass-rush ceiling in question for Cincinnati, while Washington’s off-field drama surrounding Terry McLaurin’s contract stalemate and Brian Robinson Jr.’s status points to a fluid backfield and receiver pecking order ahead of the season. On the field, Cincinnati kicked off with Joe Burrow under center, and Jayden Daniels followed for Washington in a showcase that underscored the offense’s early rhythm (two Burrow TD drives, a Daniels highlight run) despite defensive miscues.

Mitchell Tinsley stole the show for Cincinnati, snagging two touchdown catches in a rapid-fire sequence and finishing with five grabs for 73 yards, raising the ceiling for a rookie path to a roster spot. Washington’s Jaylin Lane flashed; his three catches for 42 yards included a remarkable diving grab, hinting at a potential Week 1 boost if McLaurin remains out. The Commanders also leaned into a reshaped rushing corps, with Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez contributing as a committee over a ground game that still left some run-fit questions. Overall, the early returns suggest the Bengals may lean into shootouts again, while Washington’s depth chart remains unsettled but rich with intriguing role players for fantasy depth charts.