Bengals’ Zac Taylor discusses preparations leading into NFL preseason
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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor discussed the team’s preparations heading into Preseason Week 1 during a press conference on July 31, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims wasn’t in uniform for the team’s evening practice at Paycor Stadium during training camp August 2.
Mims was working with the training staff during practice, per The Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway.
Mims also wasn’t in uniform Thursday at the IEL Indoor Practice Facility.
Mims has had a wrap on his right hand during previous practices.
Rookie Jalen Rivers has started at right tackle in Mims’ absence.
In 2024, Mims, the Bengals’ first-round pick from Georgia in the 2024 NFL draft, had a broken hand and was believed to be an “emergency” option at right tackle when he entered during the third quarter of an NFL Week 18 win against the Steelers as teammate Cody Ford was evaluated in the blue medical tent for a chest injury.
Mims, who played in 15 games as a rookie, suffered the right hand injury during the second quarter of an NFL Week 17 win against Denver at Paycor Stadium. Mims played with a club on his injured hand.
Mims suffered a left ankle injury during the second quarter of the team’s NFL Week 16 win against Cleveland.
Mims was injured during the first quarter of the Bengals’ Week 10 loss to Baltimore.
Mims was carted off the field with a left ankle injury during the Bengals’ Week 5 loss to Baltimore, but returned later in the game.
ChatGPT said:
Bengals OT Continues to Sit Out of Practice Amid Growing Concerns
Cincinnati, OH – August 1, 2025 — Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle remains absent from team practices, raising eyebrows as training camp progresses and the regular season inches closer. The prolonged absence has sparked speculation regarding his health status, contract situation, or potential off-field matters.
Head coach Zac Taylor addressed the media following Thursday’s walkthrough, offering limited insight: “He’s working with our staff right now, and we’re monitoring everything day by day. There’s no timeline just yet, but we’re hopeful to have him back soon.”
While the team has not confirmed whether the absence is injury-related, sources close to the situation suggest the tackle is dealing with lingering physical issues from last season. Others have hinted at possible disagreements regarding his current contract, though no official comment has been made from the player’s camp or the front office.
The absence of the veteran lineman is a significant concern for the Bengals, especially considering the high expectations for quarterback Joe Burrow and the offense heading into the 2025 season. Protecting Burrow has remained a top priority after past struggles with offensive line consistency and durability.
In the meantime, backup linemen have been rotating through first-team reps, with rookie and second-year players gaining unexpected opportunities to prove themselves.
As fans and analysts await clarity, the Bengals will continue preparations for their preseason opener. Whether their starting tackle will be on the field remains uncertain, but his prolonged absence is becoming one of the key storylines of training camp.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available from Bengals camp
