Bengals provide their latest update on starting right guard battle leading up to preseason opener vs. Eagles

Four players are locked in as starters for the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line. Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims have left and right tackle down with Ted Karras tying things together at center, and while rookie Dylan Fairchild is not quite as established, he should feel very safe as the Week 1 option at left guard.

Five names are needed to complete the unit, and right guard remains very much up in the air according to one of the coaches influencing the final decision.

Bengals deliver update on right guard battle

Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick have gone head-to-head for two weeks at RG with the starting offensive line. Ford has out-snapped Patrick due to an apparent leg injury he suffered during the first days of training camp, but the 32-year old soon returned to action and began making his case.

There's more work to be done for both of them as offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson a winner has not been picked yet, and the entire preseason may need to play out before that happens.

"We're going to continue to evaluate both those guys as training camp goes on and as the preseason goes on," Pitcher said. "When the time is right for the team, we'll make a decision and go from there."

This was the expected approach. Ford and Patrick started camp as equals and not enough reps have been had to firmly decide the winner, especially considering the time Patrick missed due to injury.

The battle has been ongoing since both signed new contracts with the team earlier in the offseason. Patrick, who was signed as a free agent back in March, took the first starting reps during OTAs followed by Ford in mandatory minicamp. Ford re-signed with the club on a two-year deal after starting nine games last season, including eight of the team's final nine games.

Thursday night's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles should provide an answer as to who's in front right now, but whether it's Patrick or Ford out there for the first drive, Pitcher and Co. will need to see more from both players before the preseason concludes.