Al Golden explains why Bengals' starting defense featured a surprise lineup change during final training camp practice

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 6:09 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals have officially wrapped up training camp and all that's left is Saturday's preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

Cincinnati won't play its starting offense nor defense against Indianapolis in Paycor Stadium, but if the ones were out there, you could probably still expect to see rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. next to Logan Wilson at linebacker.

But that wasn't the case Thursday afternoon, and defensive coordinator Al Golden had an answer as to why.

Oren Burks starts with Demetrius Knight Jr. dinged

Oren Burks took the starting reps next to Wilson in Thursday's final camp practice. Golden said Knight was held out due to a "lower extremity" injury.

Oren Burks was with the first team today over Demetrius Knight Jr. due to a lower extremity injury according to Al Golden.

No further details at this time from Golden.
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) August 21, 2025

Burks taking Knight's spot was notable since Knight has struggled through two preseason games, but if Knight is dealing with a minor injury, this isn't a clear benching after two game's worth of tape. Knight was dressed for practice but didn't participate in team drills, according to Local 12's Richard Skinner.

Burks signed a two-year, $5 million deal as a free agent in March. He began his NFL career back in 2018 as a key special teamer for the Green Bay Packers. He didn't see extended playing time at LB until his two-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers. The Philadelphia Eagles were his next stop in 2024 and the eventual champions started him in five of their last six games including their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Knight, the Bengals' second-round pick from this year's NFL Draft, has been the starter next to Wilson for the entirety of the offseason since arriving, Burks has been getting occasional exposure with the starters in certain packages. He's the logical next man up in the case of injury to either Wilson or Knight.

It's too early to say if Golden and Co. are making any real depth chart alterations, but Saturday's exhibition should indicate who's next up behind the starters.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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