Explaining the importance of Bengals hosting joint practice vs. Colts leading up to preseason finale

This is the first year since 2019 both teams will be meeting in August, but the Bengals are very accustomed to practicing against a preseason opponent. The Bengals' most recent joint practices featured the Green Bay Packers in 2023, and the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. 

Cincinnati took advantage of both instances to give their starters meaningful reps against first-team players. Those reps can be invaluable when the actual preseason games are being played by reserves. 

Why do NFL joint practices matter?

In some cases, joint practices are the first time a team faces an entirely different team in the offseason. Weeks and months spent practicing together can become monotonous, and the urge to battle against some foes for a change can persist throughout the Summer.

Joint practices leading up to Week 1 of the preseason provide that needed shift. It's what the Bengals got last year against the Packers as the majority of starting players took reps in a controlled setting on the practice field. 

This year will be a bit different for the Bengals as their joint practice with the Colts is set to follow their first two preseason games. The importance of this will be dependent on how much the coaching staff players the starters during the opening two weeks.

Cincinnati has been more reserved about giving its starters reps during preseason action, specifically on offense due to quarterback Joe Burrow often being incapacitated during this time. Burrow's injury recoveries have consistently hindered his ability to partake in preseason action for the majority of his career.

That could change this year depending on if Burrow's wrist injury is fully recovered by August, which is the expectation. Burrow has yet to be cleared for full contact, but that's set to happen before training camp begins.

If the status quo remains the same and Burrow sits out the first two weeks of preseason, this joint practice against the Colts could be his first and only live reps against a starting defense before the regular season. The rest of the offense operating with Burrow under center would also benefit from these reps as well.

All of that has yet to be decided, but this joint practice does give the Bengals options on how they'll proceed leading up to Week 1 in September.